Hello dear reader, yes it’s me I’m back from my sick bed to report on the latest 4th team game. And how nice it was to welcome some familiar faces back to our starting eleven, Ian “Boom Boom” Holmes, Lord Charles and Aaron Turner. It was great to have you guys on board and what a contribution the three of you made.

After weeks on the road travelling along the M53/M56 to the furthest corners of the county it was nice to be back on familiar territory for what was our first home match of the season. Our previous home match being a casualty of the weather, but with blue skies and the sun beating down there was no chance of this game being called off. However due to the whole of Manchester deciding to spend the Bank holiday weekend visiting Wales the congestion on the M56 meant that the 1pm start had to be put back as first our opponents phoned to say they were delayed, followed by our brothers from Manchester, Mohamed and Zee all caught up in the traffic. Eventually our opponent arrived with stories of total gridlock and with only ten men as one of their players was still stuck. The Duke explained that two of our own players were also delayed and it was agreed to delay the start by 15 minutes. But with still no sign of Mohamed and Zee and the 15 minutes passed Ashley agreed to provide us with two subs to allow the game to commence. With our two opening bowlers missing the Duke had no alternative but to toss the ball to Aaron to open proceedings. While at the other end Sorry John was informed to “loosen up” as he would be taking the second over! Aaron opening over was spot on with no sign of rustiness as he beat the bat on numerous occasions, while at the other end Sorry John showed a marked improvement on his only previous bowling of the season so far by bowling line and length! And it was Aaron who struck first, bowling the Ashley opener Ferris for 8. Ashley 37-1 off 13 over’s. And two over’s later Aaron had accounted for the other opener, leaving Ashley on 48 -2. Having had a sharp chance put down at first slip Sorry John struck in the 18th over claiming three wickets plunging Ashley from 50-2 to 50-5. Two of his victims being bowled while young Nathan took a tremendous catch at mid wicket holding onto to the ball travelling at the “speed of sound”? The outgoing batsman was left standing in his crease in total disbelief. And in his very next over he was at it again. Having survived the hat trick ball young Foster played one round the corner straight into young Dan’s hands at square leg, Ashley now 53-6. It was with the fall of this wicket that Sorry John announced that this was his 800th wicket for the club. Unfortunately this was on his part a mistake as later reference to the clubs stats would prove. Some people out there might call this a “senior moment” (not the last in the match dear reader) as this took him to 797. The opening bowlers were not finished there as Aaron claimed his third wicket of the day, bowling Ashley’s number 7 Clarke for 7, 61-7 and with a run out in the 30th over Ashley’s innings were tottering at 66-8. With the opening bowlers bowled out and the late arrival of Mohamed and Zee meaning they were not allowed to bowl until the 33rd over, this gave Nathan and Callum the chance to get amongst the wickets. It was now that our skipper had one of his “senior moments”. Having bowled his 15 over’s Sorry John asked the Duke where he would like him to field? The Duke replied “where have you been fielding?”

Unfortunately for both of our young prospects Ashley’s “senior” members decided it was time to dig in and try and salvage their innings, waiting for the bad ball. This approach saw their score pass the hundred before a change in bowling with Zee replacing Callum. And in his first over Zee bowled Ashley’s number 10, Griffiths for a well constructed 25. Then dear reader something happened which I’ve never seen before in all the years I’ve been playing this beautiful game. Mohamed now into his second over bowls to Noble Ashley’s number nine, who plays a forward defensive shot pushing the ball straight back to the bowler. Ashley’s number eleven decides for whatever reason that there is a run to be had and leaves his crease. Mohamed sensing there is a run out opportunity goes to pick the ball up only to see Birtles the non striking batsman kick the ball away. We appeal and he is given out, obstructing the field. Well as they say you’re never too old! Ashley all out for 115 in 43.5 over’s.

It would be very remiss of me if I did not mention the excellent fielding of our youngsters, Dan Minshall who patrolled the deep midwicket boundary with speed and athleticism and Nathan and Callum whose efforts should not go unmentioned either. And last but not least Ian Holmes for his diving stop at point saving a certain four. Unfortunately Ian could not repeat this feat a few balls later. ~What do they say about “lightening”? And so to tea.

Duly refreshed Ian decided that it was time to give our other two returning “heroes” the opportunity to open the batting. So out strode Holmsey and Lord Charles to face Ashley’s opening attack. I know what you are thinking dear reader”how many did they make? ”Well let me tell you, for someone who hasn’t played cricket for over twelve months and for somebody who has only played T20 cricket for the past few years, the scorebook shows an opening partnership of 103. Holmsey out for 49, Lord Charles not out 48 and young Dan batting at number 3 with such maturity that belies his age, 5 not out. So our first victory of the season was secured in a convincing manor, with a good all round team performance. Next week we are on our travels once again, with a return fixture against our good friends from Ashley. We can only hope that the travel chaos that beset this game has eased and the game will start on time with a full complement of players?