ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
FAMILY FEUD
Backyard cricket in Nelson has officially reached boiling point as cousins Francis Moore, 14, and Baxter Moore, 16, have begun to blowout with each other in day long cricket matches.
The pair have spent the past seven days playing BYC, a seemingly innocent pastime that has escalated into a near-warzone of sledging, questionable one hand one bounce catches, and sibling trauma.
“It started off chill,” says neighbour and long-time BYC observer, Mrs. Glenda Patterson. “But by day three, Baxter was calling himself ‘the king of spin’ and Francis decided he wasn’t going to walk for anything less than a direct hit to the stumps.”
Reports confirm that some younger siblings have been reduced to tears after getting out in the first over. “It’s rough,” admitted little cousin Charlie, 9, wiping away tears. “I just wanted to hit the ball once and now I don’t think I’ll get another turn at batting for the rest of the week.”
Meanwhile, Mum, Karen Moore, has been attempting to intervene, repeatedly shouting from the kitchen window: “Go play at the park, you two! Stop hitting the house!” Her pleas have so far been ignored, with the rubber tennis ball continuing its assault on the house’s exterior, leaving a trail of dented weatherboards and frayed nerves.
Despite the tension, both Francis and Baxter remain defiant. “I’m not backing down to that pussy,” said Baxter, squaring up to his cousin for another over. “I don’t care if it’s six and out over the fence, I’m aiming for his face.’ Francis, equally resolute, replied: “Whatever I’ll f***in york that c***.”
At the press time both were arguing about if an automatic wicket keeper would have caught the ball Francis nicked.
More to come.
