After a huge win last week the indoor team faced Galleywood again, in the cup this time. Selection/rotation/availability meant that Drew & Pooky weren't playing, but we still fancied our chances enough to bat first, although John lost the toss & Galleywood, with a chnaged team, decided to field first.
Nick & Joshua opened up, the first over saw Nick decide to run, as Joshua decided to admire the defensive shot he just played. Nick carried on running, up the stairs back to the balcony. In came Joe, keen for runs after hearing of last week's runfest. However, he decided to play a little more cautiously, as Joshua hammered a ball into the roof, to see it drop directly into a fielder's hand. John came in, confident after last week's big score, went for the quick single, as Joe, rightly, called 'no'. This was closely followed by Joe chipping the ball gently to another fielder. At 40-4 last week seemed a long while ago. But, Cheesey & Jack came to the rescue. Cheesey played the senior role & Jack showed that he was learning some indoor shots. Both found the wall well & ran a number of 2s & 3s. The score steadily rose, Jack was caught out behind & Cheesey kept the runs coming until the end of the innings, scoring an undefeated 32. 82-5 was a good score considering the position we were in after 5 overs.
The bowling hero from last week opened the bowling &, like in our innings, Galleywood did well. Joe & Cheesey bowled 2 overs each & Galleywood kep the runs coming, but Joe managed to get rid of both openers caught & bowled. Jack & John came on to bowl, Jack being more economical. John managed to get rid of one Galleywood batsman by making him retire after smacking 2 sixes from tempting overpitched half-volleys. Joe did well to get a run out & we were in with a shout.
Cheesey & Joe returned to finish their spell. John came back on, as the 6-hitter from before came in. John tempted him again, but with a delivery tossed up into the lights & Joe took his 3rd catch of the day. Galleywood's number 6 batsman was all that was left & there were only 3 runs needed to win. The crowd were, at last, interested in the outcome. Jack tried to trick him, but he hit it cleanly to the wall for victory.
Galleywood were much improved from last week & deserved their victory, as they were the better team on the day.
Christmas break means that our next game is mid-January, when all players will return with new socks, gloves, pads, boxes or even bats courtesy of Santa (we might ask him to play next time!)
