Eversley 1st XI vs Bagshot 1st XI 3/5/17

The ones paid a first visit to near neighbours Eversley for the first time in a while, a very picturesque place to play. The hosts had a variety of warm ups overseen by their South African star player, ex Yateley overseas pro we faced 5 seasons ago. While we sat watching their intense warm up, talking mainly last nights exploits and anything but the game in hand, I once again lost the toss, that's 5 on the spin.
We were asked to bowl, and for once it came out well for me at the start, best over in years, sadly no reward to show for it. George nabbed an early wicket, Mikey taking a great catch at mid on over the shoulder, before the pro joined the skipper. They batted well and hit any bad balls to the boundary, Jonny A and Psycho came on but the runs continued to flow. Pro passed 50 and Brad came on and immediately got into a battle with him, Brad way second best before a big verbal after a lot of runs came off one over, Brad got revenge next over Mikey taking another fine catch. Brad continued to make inroads, finishing with a best ever return of 6-45 off 10 overs. I came back at the end to finish the innings with 2 in 2 and Evesrley were slight favourites at tea finishing 241 all out. Score could have been nearer 300 if the overseas had stayed in, but could also have been 20-30 less but for a good innings late on. 4 catches for Mikey.
Another nice tea, this league definitely the best one for a while on that front.

Geordie, fresh from last weeks ton, and JG opened the innings, however Geordie fell early lbw sending Chris to the crease.
The innings got off to a steady start before both started to flourish, at drinks after 25 overs we were 146-1, both Chris and JG passing 50. JG fell soon after drinks for 64, Johnsy joining Chris and again a partnership developed. Chris then fell lbw unluckily for 74, Mikey the came together with Johnsy, falling for 19 trying to get us over the line, Johnsy played his one poor shot for the season to depart on 35.
We only needed a handful of runs but Brad came out second best in his duel with the overseas, Psycho hit a glorious four before departing lbw, leaving Penners and George to crawl us over the line with a couple of overs to spare.
Hard work in the end but without doubt one of the best victories in my 5 years as captain, to chase 242 away from home pretty special.

MOM Brad Passfield, 6 wickets he is growing into a very useful seam bowler.
Contributions pretty much from all today good to see Chris and Jack in the runs, George bowled well and also improving game by game, and the catches taken were very good today.
Very proud of the team they have a week off me next week so Adam will come back in the side and skipper.