SCORECARD

Having sneaked past the Fitmen total from the previous week, 146 didn’t feel enough – but it’s early season and anything could happen with the wily bowlers lined up.

It was looking ominous as 2021 Batter of the year Mo found the middle of his bat from the first over, whilst his opening partner Harry also looked determined to stick around. Raj (5-0-24-1) got some decent swing from the ‘city end’, whilst The Chairman’s (3-1-14-0) shoulder seemed to be still rotating from the golf course end - but nothing in the way of chances as the scoreboard ticked over.

An extra bit of swing and bounce offered up a sharp chance to slip off Raj’s 4th over, snapped up by The Chairman’s ‘dive’ to remove Mo saw the first wicket fall at 29.

The breakthrough and hopes of further success saw bowling getting rotated searching for the next. Nokia (3-0-25-0) and Tuckerrrrr (4-0-16-1) both caused problems – but Harry was getting settled in and along with Stevie Nix started to dominate putting on 74 before the ace in the pack twirled in.

Nutt I (5-0-32-3) did what he’s done so many time before. A couple of looseners then over 3 pinned Steve N (31) LBW caused a pause in the march towards the total. But even better was to come in Ian’s 4th over as flight did for both Mould & Jonesy. Both sets of eyes lit up and all Sam whipped off the bails twice in an over. Along with Tuckkerrrr’s removal of the dangerous Bice on 17 and Harry’s retirement on 50, suddenly there was a bit of a twitch at 137-6.

Despite Timmsy’s (3-0-24-0) best efforts supporting Nutt I, Capt Bilal effectively clubbed a couple of boundaries and along with Ade’s 1* (strike rate 100) reached the target with 6 overs to spare. Apologies to Tony T who could do little to change the direction having come on with only 4 required.

A good warm up in perfect conditions with everyone (we think?) getting a bat, bowl or both. Shout out for Oli who’s got the outfield looking fantastic. Roll on the season proper.