Sitting happily at the top of the league after two games, Baston travelled to Welby-Cavaliers, home of the most famous and least useful window in all of the SLBL, looking to pick up where they left off after last weekend’s win over Skeg. 

There were three changes from last week’s team; usual skip Adam (TS) and bully Keeno were too busy running around a big field and were replaced by Baston’s spin twins, Lamin and Tim, whilst Biggsy unfortunately declared himself fit and replaced Andy Burrill.

After a brief team meeting on the wicket with ex-Welby captain James, it was decided the toss would be a crucial one to win; the pitch was flat, the weather hot and the fielders lazy, and so it was definitely a bat-first scenario. Despite Adam’s absence some things never change and the toss was still lost by the peoples' captain (Ben); Baston would bowl.

Without either of last week’s openers, the new ball was thrown to Liam and Hawk, who both struggled for rhythm slightly early on. Regardless of this, chances began to come and it was the youngster who made the first breakthrough, with Dale (11) spooning the ball up for Tickler to take a good running catch at point. Before too long, the Hawk had his second thanks to some excellent glove work by Ben, who made a flamboyant reaction grab in front of first slip to hold a beauty and send OG Johnson packing for 15.

With Hawk bowled out and Liam bored of bowling seam, Ben turned to Don Long, sporting an intense new fake tan, and last year’s player’s player of the season John Lamin. Dave was tidy as always but John, however, looked a shadow of his former self as he sent down an array of leg stump full tosses and wide balls that were dispatched to the boundary by the Welby/Cavaliers batsmen. To be fair to John there were several catchable opportunities, however the man on the leg side boundary Smiler had wandered off and forgotten it was Saturday, causing him to miss catches that would have otherwise been straight down his throat. In spite of his inconsistency, Lamin showed a brief glimpse of the silver haired terror of 2015 as he took a trademark caught and bowled to dismiss Kennedy for 22 before bowling crease-dancing left hander Meadows for 30 with a leg break in the same over.

The arrival of Wilkin at the crease saw the runs begin to pile on, and other than Biggsy taking a sharp, driven catch off Liam's low full toss to dismiss Hayes there was little to cheer about for Baston. Young Wilkin was driving well and taking advantage of Lamin's garbage to reach his half century, however he was given several lifelines after some poor Baston fielding. Vicar Neil got a hand to a hard drive at midwicket off Tim (on for Dave) before later that same over Don let one fly straight through his hands, however the worst drop came on the boundary from Biggsy who put down an absolute snipper. Everyone agreed it was a bad drop except pro-dropper Tim, who reckoned he was ‘unlucky’.

There was time for a customary ‘yep’ from Tim as he bowled Matta off his legs for 16, before a returning Hawk swooped in to claim the wickets of Gibbons (7) and Aazeer (2). The pick of the bowlers on the day, he finished with his best figures for Baston to date with 9-2-38-4. Despite needing 3 off the last ball, Wilkin got his century with a 2 to midwicket, as the "home side" posted a daunting 234 to win.

After a couple of eggy-peggy sandwiches, some good cookies and the smallest bags of crisps ever known to man for tea, Mark and James began the chase. VSM was straight back in the changing room however as he was bowled for a duck. In at 3 Lamin should have taken some tips from his bowling, as the runs that had flowed so freely in the first innings had dried up to the point that his first (after drinks) was met with rousing applause from the travelling fans. Eager for a wicket, the Welby-Cavaliers players appealed more or less any time the ball hit either batsman’s pad, and after 15 appeals declined by the umpire (who signalled ‘not out’ by raising his finger for some reason) Lamin was eventually given LBW for 6 off about 128 balls.

Saturday

Liam didn’t hang around long, but batted aggressively for a quick 17 that would prove to be the second highest score of the day. Skipper Ben was run out for nought, deciding there was a run on after patting the ball straight back to the bowler, and Biggsy was bounced out by a spinner for two.

Despite the collapse occurring around him, Baston’s newest opener James was seeing the ball like a giant peach, ignoring the many wides thrown down by the eager bowlers and stroking the ball magnificently to all corners.

Tickler in full flow

He did, however, seem to have a slight issue with running; involved in the run out of Ben, he also attempted a Monty Panesar like dive only to land flat and not move an inch, but luckily the fielder decided not to take advantage of the man sprawled several feet outside of his crease and threw to the other end anyway. Neil also fell victim to a Tickler run out, as James hit the ball into space and took off, loudly calling yes as he did so. Deep in prayer, the vicar was oblivious to this until James was right next to him, and he still managed to make it in before the bails were finally dislodged at the other end before being triggered by a grumpy Lamin at square leg who wanted to go home. Tim was given HBW (Hip Before Wicket) by the ex-Cavaliers umpire, that he had spent much of the day mocking. Tanned Dave and Big Dave gave James steady support, with the latter breaking the world record for most eye rolls in one game of cricket after he was dismissed.

The regularly seen "that wasn't out" face as Dyer waits a good minute before leaving the crease

With number 11 Hawk at the crease on 120-9, Mr Tickle managed to rescue the score to some extent, and Baston were one short of a third batting point with only two balls to go. After a dot ball, Hawk decided to leave his crease looking for the important 150th run, but unfortunately he also left the ball on merit and was stumped for 2, leaving Baston 149 all out.

Good day for Hawk - 4/38 & 2

James finished on an excellent 86*, and could have no doubt scored more if he had had a batsman stick around with him for any period of time. The team visited the local pub for a quick beer before heading home, with the exception of Neil who had to leave early as he had work the next day; the only hour of his week as a vicar.

Top knock from Tickler (86*) celebrating his 50

The boys will be looking to get back to winning ways next week, as they host Grantham 3rds.

Man of the Match: James, for his excellent batting display

Baston Bellend: John Lamin had one of the worst days in cricket history, narrowly beating an equally bad Smiler with bowling figures of 2-345 off 10 (including one maiden!) and 6 runs off 128 balls.

Scorecard: http://baston.play-cricket.com/website/results/2687552