One eye was on the weather forecast for much of last week and it was with some glee that the recent dry spell ensured there would be no repeat of the unsatisfactory outcome to the fixture earlier in the season that was cancelled without a ball being bowled away at Bowdon

And so to match day 19, Upton won the toss and it was no surprise to see Battersby opt to bowl first on yet another glorious Upton track. Usual opening bowler Sundve was not trusted with the new ball on this occasion on the basis that if umpires carried breathalysers he was certain to fail, so he was instead sent to reflect on bad life choices at mid on as Sol Turner and captain Battersby took the new cherry.

Wickets fell at regular intervals throughout and with the Bowdon line up unable to build a single sizeable partnership and with only their skipper able to reach 25+ the puddle fearing opposition sat wishing for rain to again save them as they were dismissed for a well below par 151 all out. Sol Turner fired up by seeing Bowdon arrive on Merseyside with a copy of The Sun newspaper bowled with pace and recorded his first 2nd team 5 wicket haul with 5/47 off his 13 overs

Following tea Mike Yeates did Mike Yeates things and reverse ramped the first ball of the innings for 4 much to the dismay of the opposition who did not hesitate to inform him that they were not in approval of his bold swashbuckling methods.

Ward Talbot and Yeates did all perish quickly and at 32/3 on a flat deck Upton were left with another “here we go again” moment. The argumentative Tom Woods and not so argumentative Luca di Stefano were having none of it though and set about the target at pace and a delightful 115 run partnership was only ended with just five runs needed as Luca on 70 found mid off with another drilled powerful off drive well caught

Five to win and Woods showed his lack of maths ability by smashing a one bounce four into the fence and raising his arms thinking it was all over. Two balls later it actually was and Woods hit the required single to cross the line with 26 overs to spare

A comprehensive victory for Upton 2nd XI which was met with news of the league leaders losing enabling promotion to be placed back into Upton’s hands

In the simplest of terms if Upton 2s win their last 3 fixtures they will be promoted