Sat 3rd XI vs Reading 4th XI

Bagshot 3's V Reading 4's.
A phone call just before leaving for the ground from Head Groundsman at VE could have been bad news, but as it was, he was only telling me we had been promoted to the main pitch. I think it may have been because he admired my batting a couple of weeks before and felt I needed a larger stage...

Lost the toss again, and not surprisingly were put in. With 5 players having departed up to the 2's, relative veteran Mike White "volunteered" to open with regular Matthew Funnell. It was a slow wicket, but unfortunately our wickets fell at a much quicker pace.
Slightly aided by two quick LBW decisions as the batsmen tried to hit behind square on the leg side and obviously misreading the line. The rain came and threatened to call the whole thing off, but spurred on by the thought of the Hedley tea, we stuck to trying to rebuild the innings with the skipper and Nigel Rice scoring at a reasonable rate. Nigel got rather excited as he ventured down the wicket in search of a Strictly Come Dancing partner and was promptly stumped for 23, I then decided the wicket was soooo slow that I would hit a full toss straight to extra cover for 32. This brought together father and son Pete and Oliver Blake which was great to see if not for too long... Barrie Funnell on debut rolled back the years with a vintage display swishing the blade like Porthos but unfortunately we closed on a sub par 135 all out.

The Hedley tea was taken, and we tried to thrust the majority down the opposition's gullets. However, I fear perhaps we too may have partaken of the splendid fare too well.

Chuckles got an early one, and Nigel Rice in keeper mode with Ryan in the 2's, got an excellent run out. Young Ollie Blake was the only other to make a breakthrough in spite of unleashing speed merchant Barrie (Mr Sheen..) Funnell as the pitch dried out and conditions certainly favoured the batsmen. A top effort once again, and availability was looking better for the following week.... Surely Growler would win a toss soon (to be continued)
MOM: Barrie Funnell. Got to be available more often.... Surely....
Tea of the Season (thus far): Iain Hedley