Saturday 27th April
Second team v Brailsford 1st XI – Lost by 2 wickets

John Goodwin Lost the toss & we were invited to bat on a wet green wicket, with a team consisting of 3 players making their debut at this level, 1 making a return from nearly 2 years out injured, & 1 returning from retirement!!

From the first ball which reared alarmingly from a length it was always going to be a struggle & wickets fell at an alarming rate with the score at 1 time 27 for 6 and then 37 for 7, however the skipper dug in to see what was going to happen, first Graham Boden hung about, then Will Chapman with some lusty blows scored an excellent in the circumstances 22, and then the now big hitting number 11 Colin Shaw scored 10 before Goodwin was last man out for 55 leaving us with a score of 138.

The youngsters couldn’t have had a worse baptism of fire but all acquitted themselves well and promise much for the future.

In reply on a now dryer wicket Brailsford started equally as badly, Graham Boden running up the mountain had instant success with the opener caught behind by the admirable keeper 14 year old Ollie Baum, next ball should have repeated the line only for the umpire to adjudge not out, Justice was done in Bodens next over when he was caught at slip.

Will Chapman now got in the act after returning from injury bowled excellently down the slope inducing France to aim a wild drive which flew to big brother at second slip who parried the ball up for the old man next to him to have a comfortable catch.

Wickets continued to fall with Colin Shaw and Rob Goodwin joining the party with Brailsford on 70 for 7 Lullington was in the ascendancy, only for Stubbs to rattle a very brisk 38 before being the second stumped victim for Baum. This proved the turning point with Brailsford crawling past the post for the loss of 8 wickets, leaving Lullington with just 6 points.

Most amusing moment Bodie’s first ball of second spell. Followed by the councillor bowling a no ball to bring the scores level.

Related Links:
Opening League Reports
League Tables 2003
2nd Team Results / Report