Bayshill at Winchcombe

The happy band of nine arrived early, despite the ground being in Gloucestershire. In addition to the 6 registered starters, Dan Lee, Heath Parker and our own overseas player, Ryan Prime warmed up, mainly by sitting in the glorious sun. I won the toss, again, and in the hope of the sun dropping behind the arm at one end later on (cruelly thwarted by geography), decided to bat. The average age of the opposition looked to be high, so I expected them to wilt, as the merciless (suffer baby) sun shone. Out strode Brad, fresh from a 90 on Saturday and Andy Mayneord. However they both strode back quickly, Andy being triggered by Dave (10 overs) Moulson and Brad getting the ball of the century - his words, a real jaffa - to be caught behind. Tim -one shot (mid on hoik)-Foster needed to continue his good (Sunday) form and help Dan to stabilise the innings. That they did as they took their time (2 dot balls each), before unleashing a barrage of boundaries in a partnership of 73 in only 8 overs. Dan was caught at mid on but in came Whitters, fresh from extensive net work (not unlike Biddle's networking). Fossie continued until being the first stumping victim, overbalancing after playing his other shot, missed mid on hoik. In came the skipper, so all expansive hitting stopped, although Simon was looking good until bizarrely being stumped, about 30 seconds after the ball had rolled past him and the wicket-keeper- only on a Sunday. Around that time, Bayshill's 11th player arrived from work - little were we to know how crucial that was to prove. The Moulson Panther and Heath departed quickly, leaving Simon's overseas mate Ryan, to stick around helping to bore the opposition, until he was caught to end the innings in the 29th over- no last man standing offered to the skipper, as the fielders wanted to get into the shade. One of their bowlers lost his length and bowled a number of beamers to me and Alfie did comment that I was was plumb LBW early in my innings, but was spared as the opposition declined to appeal; I say, look at the scorebook.

Tea was generous and varied, including a home made cinnamon bread cake iced thingy and I managed to acquaint myself (not in the biblical sense) with Heath's mother, who had mostly been sunbathing and reading her book with her back to the action, a dangerous pastime when Tim and Dan were in full flow.

Bayshill lent us a fielder, so Brad started down the hill and Simon up, against the late arrival (LA) and one of the pensioners. A number of unconvincing shots led to edges going through gaps or fingers as the openers used up 2 cat's worth of lives. The Panther was brought in to the attack but the sun was at mid wicket, so the batsmen's confidence grew. This was to accelerate as the skipper brought (non) spin to both ends. There was a brief discussion with another pensioner umpire - ex judge, Panther reckoned- about how many bounces constitutes a no- ball in Sunday cricket and how much leniency we had shown their bowlers, until he offered to google the rules of cricket. Ryan showed some good energy in the field and Dave was unlucky, as the 3rd Bayshill lent fielder juggled a catch on the mid-wicket boundary, before dropping the ball, claiming that the off side sun was in his eyes (local geography knowledge strikes again). Fossie came on but proved equally appealing to the batsmen and Ryan (at 19 years old) managed to injure his back after only 3 overs; shouldn't have a 2 year gap from cricket, should you. Fossie then feigned injury as the scores were level, to allow Heath one ball, which featured an overambitious LBW appeal but no runs. So the skipper came on for the last rites and the first ball saw a wicket, as the pensioner thought he could make a quick single, only to be sent back by the LA but his turn was too slow to beat Ryan's throw. However the 2nd ball was turned into the onside for a slow single, as Ryan was still suffering from his earlier fielding and bowling exploits.

The LA made 114 not out, which they claimed was his first century and their skipper confirmed that their tail had been long, so an early breakthrough and the outcome may have been different. It wasn't and the old adage of catches win matches, was proven right once again. MOM as voted for by the opposition was Fossie for his 61, despite nearly giving that back with his bowling but Dan kept very well and his 35 off 16 scoring shots was impressive for a 14 yo. Ian may have to wait to open his Funtasy Cricket account, as Bidford have called off next Sunday's game; an advert is out and who wouldn't want to play us on that form!