Middleton Stoney vs. OLCC

Tom Scrase won the toss and elected to bat first, knowing that chasing can be hard at Middleton Stoney and aware that the possibility of showers later could make a run chase even harder.

Tom and Ackers opened the batting and John was quickly tucking into the bowling whilst Tom played his part but in less dominant fashion. With 60 plus on the board off the first 15 overs, Ackers thought he should dominate a pretty decent offie for fear of the runs drying up. The resultant swish towards the mid-wicket boundary saw the stumps spread eagled and John depart for a good 41. Tom followed an over or two later driving uppishly to extra cover. This brought Monty Wacko to the crease fresh from a couple of 50's in school matches. The Middleton offie took his third wicket getting one through Monty’s defence and the OLs were three down for 70 odd.

Seb and Haylo set about repairing the innings before gradually picking up momentum. Haylo played some great shots demonstrating his full 360 range with a powerful straight drive, a flick over the keeper to add to vigorous pull and cut shots. Seb was quiet but assured in support as they put on 80 odd for the 4th wicket, Nick notched another 50 and Seb, a thirty odd. Both departed just before tea leaving Ted and Shreyas to scramble what they could before the teatime declaration; 183-5 after 46 overs.

Tea was plentiful and delicious and we were joined by Naomi Beer who was in the area. Middleton Stoney had an hour plus a minimum of 20 overs to chase down a target of 183. Ted and Shreyas were asked to continue their partnership but this time with the ball rather than the bat. We knew we needed to shift Middleton‘s dangerous left hander Richard Simpson soon, as he does not hang about. Both bowled well and 4 wickets fell quite quickly whilst Simmo (jnr) made merry at the other end with the score rattling up to 60 in fairly short order. He gave two chances one to Wacko on the boundary and another to Joe Groom at gulley, before Ackers made no mistake on the deep mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Guv and he was dismissed for 66.

Miles Wacko had a couple of overs without luck and Simmo Senior and Dan Clarke busied themselves for Middleton Stoney, so that the required run rate never rose. Clarke was clean bowled for a well-made 44 by Ted in the closing stages but the result never looked in doubt as Middleton Stoney got home with just over one over to spare.

As we changed reflecting on a decent effort, Simmo senior popped his head around the door announcing that the game is played in much better spirit without ‘Mossy’ present. Laughter all round! Pleasant pint and a barbecue to finish. Great, friendly cricket!

Middleton Stoney win by 5 wickets