04/05/2003 v WILMINGTON

lost

Colin also dazzled us all with his recipes for sandwiches (mainly different flavoured crisps and two dry bits of bread) which he assures us will be featured in his forthcoming cook book ‘The return of the hairy chef’! Martin, standing in briefly for the returning Richard won the toss and elected to bat. Clive and Peg opened and started slowly scoring just ten runs off the first ten overs with Wilmington keeping things tight straight from the off.

Clive was the first to go clipping one to gully – changing his mind to a ball that leapt up. Adam joined Peg and the run rate crept up a little (but not much).

Just before drinks in the 17th over Peg’s wicket fell when he skied one into the off side that was duly snapped up.

Richard then joined Adam in the middle but it wasn’t long after when Adam was cleaned bowled by an (ahem) ‘unplayable’ yorker – payment received with thanks!

Tim was next and despite a wobbly start soon carried on where he left off from last season scoring with some big hits which helped the score reach 50 in the 22nd over. However he eventually boosted one too many and was snapped up at long off for a trademark ‘quickfire’ 23.

Paul was next in but unfortunately Richard didn’t last much longer falling to lbw for ten. This was the signal for the tail to wag unfortunately it was more like a Jack Russell’s with Mark, Colin, Martin and John falling cheaply. With Heselden of Wilmington turning in some terrific figures in his second spell.

Small resistance was offered by Pete but an early season piece of mid pitch confusion saw him being run out by a crab like piece of play straight out of the Deal book of calling. The odds on an Allen/Deal double run out this year have been slashed!!!

Richard and Peg opened the bowling for us with Peg especially getting into a good line and length straight away. Unfortunately Wilmington’s big hitting opener was put down in the second over by the skipper in the season’s first utterly butterly moment. It wasn’t too expensive though as Mark took an excellent catch in the gully on Neil’s next over to dispose of him.

Richard then clean bowled the other opener and things were looking up especially as Neil then demolished middle stump for the next wicket not long after that.

A change of bowling saw Martin and Paul take over and both were on form straight away with Martin getting a wicket maiden when Colin snapped up a catch behind the stumps.

Martin soon had another to lbw but a succession of missed chances and some incredible luck from the batsmen soon saw them eating away at the total.

Mark and Pete saw out the innings with some tight stuff but with the small run cushion it was all a little little too late with the Cruickers cup passing over to Wilmington this year.

However much fun was had by all and hopefully with the an influx of some new and old faces to the team this year things are looking good.