What a splendid day yesterday was. Tiddington are a side that we have had many close fought encounters over the years, a decent side that have always been difficult to beat. They have rolled us over on occasion but often we have felt we have under performed rather then been outplayed.
Incidentally did you know that the entire team lives in an attic bedroom in the same house?
Until this season they have been lead by a person who is, shall we say difficult to warm to. A combination of small stature, big ego and limited talent. It is not often I take a dislike to someone. I am generally fairly live and let live and prepared to accept people warts and all. It is important to be this way as Captain as otherwise you can lose objectivity and focus. Not with this person though. I have to confess I have had dark thoughts about him in the past. Empty vessels make the most noise. He is one noisy mofo.
Anyway back to the Mauling of Tiddington, for that't what it was.
Having dutifully lost the toss (4 wins, 9 lost for those that are counting) we were delighted to be asked to have a bowl.
Tiddington battled to 41 for 2, wickets coming from a brilliant Tigger run out and Gravy getting one to nip back through the gate.
Danger man Edmondson was still there with is trademark mix of solid defence and brutal driving. Keats' was in the firing line and made some excellent hand stinging stops to keep the pressure up. The pressure told as Matt got one to jag back and clean bowl him. 41 for 3.........
.............. soon became 44 for 3. What happened next was epic. There aren't many things that the King of Rotherham hasn't achieved in his time at Didcot. A hat-trick was one of them.
An edge through to Bris brought the aforementioned empty vessel to the crease. His first ball thudded into off stump. he was surprisingly quiet as he trudged off. 2 minutes later has was joined by their number 7 as Matt got another one to hit the top of off. Cue wild celebrations. Of all the time I have spent on the field with Didcot that ranks as one of the very best. Two triple wicket maidens in consecutive weeks. Stunning.
It became 44 for 7 in the very next over as Tigger joined in the fun. Lofty leapt like a
The tail was polished off by Tigger and Gravy with Matt finishing with 7 for 37.
We needed 71 to win and it was only ten past three.
We knocked them off before tea without any drama at all.
A consequence of Mauling Tiddington was securing the points we needed to secure promotion. As I showered later in the afternoon I wasn't sure what felt more satisfying, thrashing Tiddington or securing promotion. I'm still not sure. One thing for sure is that of all the 99 players we have seen this season there is one we are looking forward to not seeing next year more than any other.
I am so looking forward to thrashing Thame next week, another side that we hopefully won;t be playing again for a very long time.
Thank you to everyone who has played and helped us achieve our goal for this season. The real journey starts in in Division 4 in 2013
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