Theale & Tilehurst 3rd XI vs Newbury 3rd XI

4th June 2011

I am not a dreamer, I am a dream and when it comes to being a team player – I just happen to play on the dream team. This was the top of the table clash between two teams who both hope to win the league. But from the get go it was T and T who won the toss and decided to bowl.

Indy and Jordan opened the bowling. Both looked tidy.  But for some reason Mr Rowland got himself worked up and then decided to gift Indy his first wicket. It was a lively start with everyone up for the occasion. Mr R felt so hard done by whatever comment it was and who ever made it, which is still a mystery that it would ruin his mood for the entire day and he certainly didn’t forget it (whatever it was). Maher forced the pace as he pushed the score along until Indy dismissed him with the help of a good running catch off the boundary rope from Imran (happy now I mentioned it – what?). James Bozarth then came on for a short sharp burst, full of fiery bouncers and unsettling yorkers. He took two wickets in quick succession and took a well-earned spell leading into the drinks break.  This brought on the two Rs, Rob and Raj, who choked the life out of the middle overs and restricted the batsman as runs were very hard to come by. They both picked up a wicket each. It was the experienced pros Imran and Robbo who came on to make short work of the remaining three wickets we needed for those all-important bowling points. A big welcome back to Charlie Cooke who deserves a mention for his stunning run out, with only one stump to aim at, a job well done and as for the rest of you who took some good catches (pat yourself on the back, the report may over run otherwise – that’s a good call)

Tea Break

Robbo provided the refreshments and we all enjoyed those delicious home backed chocolate chip cookies and there was also some health food (that green looking stuff) but I kind of forgot to test that. All in all a good tea and I definitely hope you do another preferably on a day we bat first!! Alan + Robbo you need to work something out!!

At long last me and Charlie got to open the bat and carry on where we left of last season. We have a game we play where we try to kill each other with straight drives; I believe the current score is at one a piece.  In amongst that we were greeted by a certain bitter old opener who tried to avenge his duck by trying his hardest to put us off with ‘’sledging’’. Charlie was first to go but he did play a solid straight drive before he went. Raj then came out with his years of experience and ability to deal with hostility. We put on a 50 partnership. I hit a straight drive back over the bowlers head and a played a pull shot for four at which point the opposition went rather quiet. The ‘’sledging’’ only back fired as we got off to a solid start and managed to wind them up even more with the odd cheeky comment when they least expected it, every other ball!! Raj then departed and Robbo came out to play his trade mark cut shot, which I’m still admiring every week as it doesn’t get old. But he too went and Imran came out to play the other big innings of the game. He built a steady partnership with Alan and then James Bozarth. Imran made sure we saw it home and when he walked off the pitch he declared ‘’I was born to play cricket’’. I didn’t know where else to put it in the report but it deserves a mention.   

Another victory, you can call this 5 out of 5. (With the Yateley withdrawal last week being number 4, come on Yateley don’t pull out again). Indy reckons the title should be two teams one dream, but as far as I care there is only one team, it happens to be the one we play for.

You can appreciate it  Like you appreciate a Picasso  Or an Andy Warhol, you should love it  When you look at the scorecard and more importantly the table  You should say this is fresh  This is abstract  This is a work of art  This is Arsalan  Till next time