Theale & Tilehurst 2nd XI vs Emmbrook & Bearwood 17th May 2005

BACK

Report by Chef

Having read the instructions on E&B's website they quote:

"We are proud that our square is regarded as one of the best in the county."

Obviously our expectations were high.  When we were actually stood at the square we realised Emmbrook must be a county and that they meant this is the best square in Embrook.  Alternatively they mean the measurements of the square are actually totally even making it the best square in the league as opposed to Theale which is more of a rectangle.  Either way no one could have meant that it was the best playing pitch.  The outfield was awful too as it is almost purely sand over by the football pitch.  So we were not looking forward to playing on it.

Surprisingly the skipper won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bowl.

We started with Chef and Rags opening and Chef made the breakthrough in the second over.  It was then Milne who came in and we were all convinced of a bat pad but then shortly after was caught plumb in front with a ball that kept a little low.

Rags bowled at the left handed Hodges and he snicked it behind to Tim.  Mr President jumped in the air for the appeal.  Tim couldn't hold onto it and deflected it to Mr P, who was in mid air appealing.  He tried to throw his legs in the air to kick the ball up but ended up on his rear with the ball at his feet.

Higson then came on and took a liking to Rags and in actual fact played most of the attacking shots in their whole innings.  Mickey then decided on a bowling change for Chef as he wanted a few overs for later.  Chef having gone on bended knee begged for another over and promised a wicket.  He delivered in the shape of Higson.  With a rising ball off the edge to Tim, who subsequently palmed it off to Mr President who caught it before appealing this time.

Mo continued the good bowling and picked up Swindley and McNelly the next ball.  The change of bowling again brought a wicket from Arslan of the opener Hodges who after being frustrated took a swing, missed and was bowled.  The queue of people wanting to bowl was now growing but it was Chilly who took advantage with prolific spin and accuracy, taking the next two wickets bowled. 

Chef came on to bowl and Wardle decided it was a good time to change his bat.  It only took Chef one ball to bowl him, so Wardles choice of bat was not quite long enough as the yorker took the top of the stump.

It was then down to Micky and Eddie to see us home.  Unfortunately they only saw us to the 5th over and E&B now had their tails up with a sniff of a chance.  Mike and Chilly came in though and with the only positive play of the day calmly went about their business.  Great boundaries by both Mike and Chilly, although Mike taking a few more chances and was dropped twice. 

Mike managed to reach his 50 in just 48 balls just before we reached their total.  Chilly ending up with a chanceless 38.  The fact we only lost 2 wickets meant we picked up their bowling points and we got the maximum of 30.  A great performance, even though some people didn't get much of a game but that's what happens in successful teams.