Sat 3rd XI v Royal Ascot CC - Saturday 4th XI

Bagshot 3's V Royal Ascot 4's
With the covers on and a torrential downpour just as we arrived, the outlook was gloomy. Both teams however were keen to get a game on, especially as we saw the return of our 2nd team heroes from the week before thus giving the first selection headache (for the right reasons), plus JB3 (Josh Brown) returning from university.

I WON THE TOSS!!! Yippee. We put them in, and opened up with Chuckles and Matt Alexander who both bowled really well. Matt getting the opener. Runs came at less than 2 an over as all the bowlers put on the pressure on a slow wicket. Matt Alexander got another wicket caught and bowled off a leading edge. Adam Hendries and Jared Palmer then took over, Adam bowling a great line and length, getting reward with a sharp catch by Ryan Blake in the slips. Jared had the hard work up the hill and into the wind, but coped very well in containing the Ascot batsmen.

It was then time to "unleash" JB3, who charged down the hill. A little erratic to start with, but then finding a good rhythm and line to boot. He got his first couple of wickets of the season, and Deadly got one the other end as Ascot were reeling at 94-7. However a good rearguard action saw them score well in last few overs. Matt Alexander took a sharp return catch and Chuckles finally got a breakthrough with Ryan Blake getting his second catch coming in from deep long on. 157-9.

Back to a more youthful paring of Ryan Blake and Matthew Funnell opened up for us and scored well. Ryan fell for 9 getting yorked. This brought together Matt and Matt, who batted with more of a gloss or satin finish (OK, it's bad..) and they added a solid 57 run partnership. Matt F eventually falling LBW for 28. JB3 (Josh) joined Matt and they set about the bowling playing some really nice shots. Even Josh (dot-dot-smash) showed his restrained side as he waited for the bad ball before despatching it to the boundary. Matt Alexander reached his 50 and raced on to 69 before unfortunately getting out. Growler and JB3 then saw us home with some 13 overs to spare. Up to 6th, and only 30 points behind second placed Wokingham who we visit next Saturday (it is going to be a close division this year).

MOM: Matt Alexander 69 runs and 3-27
Memorable Moment: Deadly Hedley kissing the turf yet again....
Another Memorable Moment: JB3 getting in a strop because 19 year olds should be allowed to bowl more than 7 overs straight.
One more: Adam Hendries getting soaked by the flapping cover sheet (Growler having manipulated the water/situation beautifully).

Availabilities. Not quite so good next Saturday as a few of the 2nd team and a couple of ours are unavailable. Please put your availability on ASAP.

My thanks to all the players, Mike for umpiring a stint, the Vice Ryan F for scoring and putting everything on the website.