Driving the other day, I saw a sign saying  “Average Speed Cameras”. I decided to take the risk. If they were “Really Excellent Speed Cameras” I would have slowed down.

We were hosting Mansfield & Pleasley  (M&P) so once again were battling two teams at once. These were the team that beat us heavily in the cup two weeks
previously.

The lead up to the match was entertaining. At the start of the day we had just 7 players. Zac became ill so down to 6. Mr Grimley spent most of his day (on holiday as well) trying to raise a team. At 4 o’clock it was still looking ominous but massive thanks to Stuart for his persistence and to Stone, Max, Harriet and Ben for stepping in at such late notice.

M&P won the toss and elected to bat. At this stage we had just 8 players on the field but it mattered not! Ruth and Joe S  opened with a tremendous spell each. Ben and Harriet soon joined the party and we managed to keep them to 14 for 2 after 8 overs. Only two of their players contributed (Skinner retired on 35 and Machin hit 23) but we restricted them to 87 for 7 after 20 overs. This was 50 runs better than the cup game. 
 
Our bowling was tight and fielding fearless. Ben,  Joe A and Harriet all throwing their bodies on the line for the cause.

Eliot finished the innings off excellently by taking 3 wickets in one over. 

This was a very good performance, especially under the difficult circumstances in which we had put the team together.

Bowling:-
Ruth  4 overs 3 maidens 4 runs 0 wickets  (“Bowled like a demon”)
Joe 4-1-8-2 
Harriet 4-0-27-1
Greg  4-0-23-0
Eliot 2-0-5-3
Johnny 2-0-10-0

The target was gettable. They opened as tidily as we had done and we were 20-2 after 8. Each of the team got a few but did not quite get going. We were in with a chance throughout and just needed someone to hit one big over. Eliot (15) looked like he would but holed out going for another boundary. Joe A hit one four but was caught hitting for another next ball, as did Max. Stone (10 not out) also looked like giving us hope. We eventually fell just short at the end reaching 78 for 7. 
 
We had missed Zac’s hitting but not the runs that kept him out of the team this evening.

Thanks to Stuart for umpiring.

Team:-
Johnny Butler
Greg Behl
Ruth Sprawson
Joe Ashworth
Eliot Checkley
Joe Stutchbury
Stone
Max Clarke
Harriet Ferguson
Ben Smith

Friday 29th sees the BIG MATCH. Under 15s against NOT under 15s. Bring it on!