My Sunday evenings now have their structure back, open a decent bottle of wine and sit in front of the 'puter waiting for inspiration to strike having got all of the mundane stuff out of the way. Wonderful.
Come to think of it yesterday felt a bit different to the last few months, a nervous sense of anxiety permeates the first thoughts and then a leap out of bed to see what the weather was looking like, than pacing around waiting for the squeeze to get her act together so we can head to the Field of Dreams.
Rather surprisingly we played some cricket yesterday. The seconds had the first 'proper' cricket match of the season at the field of Dreams; it is best to gloss over the details to spare collective embarrassment. Plenty of room for improvement. A similar summary from the 4ths as well by all accounts.
The 3rds tried to throw the game away but eventually beat Bicester & NO 3rds in a thrilling climax.
Didcot won the toss and skipper DP had no hesitation in putting Bicester in. Mike Slade bowled well and was unlucky not to pick up an early wicket. DP was not on his best form and took himself off after 3 overs although he did leave a lasting mark on the game, a giant dent on the edge of the pitch caused by him attempting a return catch and sprawling across the strip. The introduction of Raj into the attack had immediate results. Raj has obviously been perfecting his killer ball all winter, a leg side long hop which consecutive batsman managed to nick to Haydn. Haydn picked up his third catch soon after off Mike's bowling but not content with getting the batsman out once, decided to run him out as well! Raj (3-19) and Mike (4-33) picked up more wickets with straight bowling and the spin twins, Sam and Sam were soon introduced to the attack. Sam Smith bowled beautifully for no reward and Sam Couldrick (2- 31) showed great control and flight, dismissing the danger man when he tempted him down the track with Haydn completing the stumping. Bicester were bowled out for 124 inside 40 overs.
Raj and Elvis got the reply off to a steady start with an opening partnership of 25 before Raj was dismissed for 16. Elvis and Santosh took the score onto 50 before Elvis was out for 21. The score reached 72 when Santosh holed out. 53 needed and 7 wickets in hand, surely not a problem. However a mini collapse took the score to 86 for 7 and it looked as though Bicester might pull off an unlikely win. Sam Couldrick and Mike rescued the situation, Sam playing some classy shots and Mick bludgeoning any loose bowling. Sam (15) got a cracker and was out with Didcot still needing 20 runs. DP strode to the crease and having seen his batting in the past, things were not looking good. However DP showed great restraint and held up one end allowing Mick to continue to flay any wide balls to the point boundary. DP eventually succumbed to temptation and went to slog a short ball, only to get bowled round his legs. 1 wicket remaining, 5 runs needed and it was all down to Mike and Sam Smith. Sam played 2 shots excellent shots off his legs and the scores were tied. The pressure got to the bowler and a wide ball won the game for Didcot, Mike Slade the saviour of the innings with an unbeaten 21.
An excellent start to the third teams season, roll on next week!!
The 1sts travelled down the road to Challow, a side that 12 months ago was two seasons above us. There is a chance that a year from now the reverse will be true.
We outplayed them from ball one. They behaved like a side that didn't want to play cricket at all, and we performed like a side that hadn't missed a beat since last September's triumph at Wolverton. The banter started from the first minute, Jimmy Perera has grown taller and stronger, Matt has a new bionic ankle that means he can literally leap over buildings, Bernard has the knees of a roof tiler, The Judge hasn't changed at all, The caretaker seems strangely matured, like a good cheese. As for the Don? he looks much younger, now bowls right arm over and calls himself Juan Stimpy.
Our reputation now precedes us and We were invited to bat having lost the toss. The Judge and Jimmy opened up and were in complete control rattling up 89 for the first wicket before The Judge avoided a jug and got out for 49. Northern Gravy strode to the crease with a point to prove, not sure what it was but he looked like he meant business and was in good touch until he trapped a nerve in his shoulder. This brought Cookie to the crease and he and Jimmy were not parted before we declared on 252 after 43 overs. Cookie thrashed the ball pretty much wherever he liked and ended up on 63 not out from 49 balls. Jimmy carried his bat for what turned out to be a man of the match 80 not out.
We took to the field after a rather splendid tea in at least 5 layers of clothes. Challow never really looked up for it and we took wickets regularly to keep up the pressure. A fine debut for Juan Stimpy after he found his length, including prize scalp of Ian (div. 1) Demain. Matt decided that the best way to deal with a trapped nerve was to bowl, he looked like a stroke victim at one point but as ever gave 100% and dismissed both openers.
The Laurel and Hardy of spin were reunited and took 4 wickets between them in conditions that helped not one jot. The Judge taking 3 fer. Special mention to Brockett, taking 2 smart catches and an excellent stumping.
In the end we fell short by 1 wicket, catches win matches, and we dropped three important ones. Conditions for catching were poor........the ball was like a bar of soap. No excuses though, we should have won.
So, to next week, we host the Thame bunnies and will make sure that we improve and claim 25 points. I can't wait...........
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