Bagshot 3's V Theale & Tilehurst 3's

With the oppo skipper informing me how good they are this season before the toss and being unbeaten so far, once I did win it I did toy about chasing. Just for a nano second.. With a stronger batting line up, Paul Kelly opened up with the returning from injury Matt Funnell. With Paul taking 13 off the first over with two fours and a host of extras, it looked to be a good decision. In fact he took the attack to the T&T openers to be 21 off two overs and we were looking good. Matthew Funnell forgot the skippers instructions to just support Paul while he was on a runs fest and decided to drive one over the far sightscreeen (if we were lucky enough to have one..), and saw his stumps splayed for nought. Santosh went in and out in two balls (played on), and last weeks MOM, young James once again went in and steadied the ship by supporting Paul who you could tell had only played 20/20 in the past 5 years. These two put on 63 in double quick time as PK raced on to his first 50 of the season and apparently the first in the last 6 years!! James and Paul both went in quick succession which led to a Growler and mini Grower combo. Obviously Growler played far better shots (over mid wicket) as they put on 51 before I got caught behind via the keeper and the slips midriff. with Mini G going soon after for 38, it was Nick (Monty) Lynch and Adam Carey to soak up some overs and build a partnership. That lasted two balls as Adam was bowled for nought. (I am thinking maybe Adam's haste to get in and out may have something to do with his upcoming nuptuals, although I think everyone is hoping his performances will improve in future..). Nick, Sir Andrew Passfield, Mike White and Baiju Nakarja all contributied but we set ourselves a minimum target of 200 to get the 10 points (it has taken me 2 seasons to realise that as it is a 90 over game, we only have to get 175 for the 10 points...) and we were bowled out for 206 of 42.3 overs and off to a Lynch tea.

With Chuckles away, his rather large boots were filled by Mighty Mike White and Mini G in opening the attack. both bowled well and Mike broke through early on trapping the opener lbw. Sir Passfield then took over from Jack with immediate results. Everything worked from then on as Mighty Mike got two wickets for a meagre 25 off 11 overs straight in the heat, Sir Andy got 5 for 38 off a straight 14 overs (could have had a couple more if we had snicko), James White got yet another wicket in his first over taking over from dad and ended with 2-4. With the oppo on the ropes, and having watched Adam Carey bowl at nets on Wednesday (admittedly I did not have my glasses on, and was in the other net and it was getting dark... ) we let him loose on the tail end. In his two overs, we had wides, we had no ball beamers, 2 warnings and with his final bowl of the over, (or perhaps ever while I am skipper...) he bowled the perfect off break to bowl the number 11 and victory was secured with T&T all out for 111 with 7 or so overs to spare.
Nipped back to the club to hear the one's had come back from the brink of disaster to beat Hayes and the twos smashing Eversley. What a difference a week makes.

MOM: Joint award this week to Paul Kelly, who only opened the batting, got 66, kept wicket, told me he bowled, so bowled, caught and stumped everyone and Sir Andy Passfield ( a Sir to me as he got 37 points playing in the club competition in the morning and then got 5-38 in 14 long straight hot overs in the afternoon.
Great to have young Funnell back in the side, even if his contribution was nothing, except scoring in the wrong scorebook!

Thanks to Nick for the tea.
Growler
PS, looks like I am going global!! My new favourite bar in Barcelona is pictured!
Exams looks to be finished, so put your availability on early to avoid disappointment!