Bagshot 3's V Finchhampstead 5's

Back from hols you lucky people..

Adam Carey was obviously keen to get to the ground on time, as he was the only player caught be the speed-trap set up by the police at Windlesham MG on Saturday morning... He did manage to charm them out of a fine by talking about his batting prowess this season..

Having had a bit of a weather induced bore-draw earlier in the season, I managed to win the toss and decided to put them in on the basis we had the batting firepower to overhaul whatever they might score, and they would possibly shut up shop if we got a good total.
Chuckles and Mini Growler opened up our bowling attack once more, and were in frugal mood, as both opening bats struggled to get the ball off the square. Mini G (or Growlinho as he was known after his holiday in Portugal) got the first wicket with an edge taken rather well by the ever athletic ACAI Rice behind the stumps. Chuckles got in on the act bowling the other opener, and this stalled the Finch batsmen even more as they were going at a run rate of just over one per over. Mini-spud (James W) took over from Jack fine spell of 5-1-11-1, with Chuckles tying up the other end. Chuckles got another caught behind, with a "Reed Richards" stretch across the slip cordon by ACAI Rice. With the skipper just one catch behind mini growler in the catches bet, this was not overly appreciated as it was intercepted on route to my hands!
Mini spud got a wicket too, and Finch were now decidedly behind the run rate, Adit (Shane) Ghandi came on from the Memorial Wood end (far end)... Getting some great turn, he got locked in a battle with the Finch Berkshire colts. With final figures on 9-4-19-2, I would say he came out on top. He might have had another wicket if Santosh had not done a Nepalese dance routine which resembled a person dancing on hot coals going round and round in circles at short extra cover (the ball won)....
With the run rate so low, we thought it prudent to open things up a bit, and remembering his one over at Finch in the corresponding fixture going for 18 or so, Matt Alexander shocked me and the rest of the team by bowling really well! Zip, movement and accuracy. Shame it took until the penultimate game of the season to get there, but hey, great to have the old Matt back 7 overs-2-21-2! With the Finch skipper telling his side they needed to up the run rate after the second drinks break, they took it all on board and got themselves out in the attempt. It was left to Barrie's brother, 'Monty' Lynch to finish things off. He only managed two balls. The first there was a swing and a miss, the second was a swing and a miss and a hit. 95 all out in 39.2 overs. Well done the bowlers.
The skipper was very pleased to take an early Chuckles tea. Mighty fine home made cakes!

With recent history showing that we have not been good chasing small targets, and a greedy skipper trying to catch Wazir in the league runs race, I opened with Matthew Funnell. Matthew batted very sensibly under instruction and keen guidance from me, while I slapped a few balls around the park in my quest for personal glory. We managed to finish the game unbeaten after 18.2 overs which left us plenty of time to have a few beers back at the club.

Finch were not at the races today, but our entire team played well, the bowlers shared the wickets and gave nothing away, the fielding was sharp (apart from the skipper dropping a catch), so we deserved a morale boosting victory which guarantees that with only the top 5 staying up this season (due to league re-structure) that we will be now secure in 4th place.
Credit to the Finch skipper and players who conducted themselves well all game and Dave made sure they all took part.

My thanks to Barrie for umpiring all game, Chuckles for the fine tea, his bowling and scoring, and the Lynch mob (family) who arrived en masse and gave vocal support all game long!
MOM has to go to Chuckles because of the chocolate covered cake.
Last league game away to Reading on Saturday. Anyone wanting to play better get their availability on before 6.30pm tomorrow evening, as we look like being over-subscribed once again.

Growler