YOU WON'T see Steve Godwin bird-watching. He saw enough ducks last Saturday to last him a lifetime.
Godwin was driven quackers skippering Fareham & Crofton's fourth team when they were skittled out for just 11 runs in their Hampshire Combination League cricket match against Emsworth.
Godwin top-scored mak-ing an unbeaten eight as he saw TEN of his teammates dismissed without scoring. He was the only batsman to score, Fareham's other three runs com-ing from extras.
The ten ducks, all youngsters from the club's colts side, were lined up at Fareham's home ground - which is called Bath Lane.
Emsworth bowler Andy Philpot took 8-3 including a hat-trick and knocking the stumps over five times. Fareham's innings lasted just 59 balls, with Emsworth knocking off the runs in just 25 deliveries.
It beat the club's previous lowest score when the third team were hustled out for 12 two years ago. Skipper Godwin said: "Normally the side is made up of three adults, including me, and eight youngsters, ranging from under-13s up to under-17s. Unfortunately, the other two adults couldn't play and I was the only one.
"I knew it was going to be difficult when they won the toss and put us in. The wicket had been freshened up by a bit of rain before the game and Andy Philpot is a good bowler. But that doesn't excuse the performance.
"The experience hasn't put them off. We sat down afterwards and laughed it off as one of those days and we'll learn from it."
Just to rub salt into the wounds, less then 15 minutes after the game, the heavens opened and the ground was awash. Perfect for ducks!
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