Finally the weather matched the time of year and a scorching hot day at Bull Meadow welcomed the 2’s and their visitors Stock.
Our guests called correctly and wisely chose to bat on a flat looking deck where the returning Matt MacDonald made the breakthrough in the second over, captain Rizz playing back to one that cut back and was plumb in front. POTY Chadwick, opening from the other end in a curve ball move from Nob, kept things tight and deservedly bagged a wicket from his final ball, well caught by George Davis at mid-off. 30-2 off 12 made a nice change to 65-0. The economical start was thrown immediately as Baron and Kendall pitched 80% of their balls in their own half and conceded 37 runs off their first 4 overs combined, Jonny Hewer getting in on the act with 10 from his first. Boom, dropped on 5, began to time the ball sweetly, despite playing off the back foot to every delivery. Kendall grabbed a scalp, caught at cover by Snail but Boom was still there, scoring seemingly at will. Jimmy Hay and Kendall claimed wickets in quick succession and the game never really got away from us, as it threatened to, despite Boom’s best efforts. George Davis followed Olly to bowl up the hill and was excellent, his 2-22 from 6.3 including no wides or no balls (minor miracle) and the wicket of Boom, bowled by a yorker just after reaching his ton. 2 wickets apiece for Matt, George, Jimmy and Olly saw us bowl out or guests for 223 which was perfect for our ambitions of maximum points.
Tea by Matt MacDonald this week, good variation, the legendary baguette making a comeback, large sausage rolls and posh crisps. Decent 8/10.
Jonny Hewer and John Chadwick made a solid start, by solid I mean bored everyone to sleep with just 42 scored from 15 overs. They opened their shoulders after the first drinks break, John in particular finding the boundary with ease before choking again on 47, Jonny falling for 24 the ball before. Nob and Snail set about the 147 runs remaining and chased the target in a further 18 overs with no alarm, giving us the full 26 points.
Next week will be a different challenge, on the spicy wicket of St Andrews, with us needing 22 points to guarantee promotion to division 3. Star Man - George Davis. Decent wheels plus no sulking. Perfect
