So with four enforced changes to last week’s eleven through non-availability etc, missing were Aaron Turner, Dave Charles, Dan Minshall and Callum McCormick. Their replacements being Luke and George Williams, Ally Hughes and Alex Jones, we took to the road again for our second visit of the season to Timperley but this time our opponents were our friends from last week, Ashley and we were hoping for the same result. Once again it was nice to have the parents of some of our younger players making the journey with us; their support here is much appreciated.

On arriving at Timperley we were pleased to find our brothers from Manchester, Zee and Mohammad had already arrived and were changed into their whites. Obviously the lesson from last week had been taken on board. Being changed meant we had slightly more room in the smallest changing rooms on the circuit, with the shower area once again being used as an annex. However there was still a need to operate a shift system allowing us older members a little more space to bend and stretch! While changing we were greeted by a smiling Duke of Wellington who on his return to the changing room announced “we are fielding lads”.

The Duke decided to open with Zee from the Road End while Mohammed was give the Hockey Field End and it was Mohammed who struck first having the Ashley number two, Corbishley caught by George Williams at mid on for 2, Ashley 16-1. At the end of the15th over with Ashley’s score on 30 our captain succumbed to “old man’s problems” and had to leave the field handing the gloves (but no pads) to young Ally. In the next over while Ian was still off the field Mohammed struck again, bowling Ashley’s number 3 Cavanagh for 4, Ashley now 32-2. Despite our success without our leader and our suggestions that he might like to stay off the field he did return and resume his wicket keeping duties at the end of the over. After 20 over’s the Duke made a double bowling change with Luke replacing Zee and Sorry John coming on at the Hockey Field end. With Luke showing more pace then Zee the Ashley batsmen decided that a period of consolidation was required and as a result their score progressed slowly to 74 before Luke bowled P Noble for a well constructed 18 and in the same over accounted for Ashley number 5 R Corbishley for 0, leaving Ashley on 74-4. Luke was not finished there as in his next over he claimed his third wicket bowling Kwasnik for 0. With half their team back in the pavilion it was looking good for Upton, Ashley 76-5.

Although we were now into the tail, Ferris the Ashley opener was still there and now milking the bowling. We had to wait until the 30th over before Sorry John struck, bowling Darren Griffiths with one that “popped” and took the leg stump bail. After last week’s miscalculation Sorry John announced that was wicket 798 and it wasn’t long before 799 came along when he bowled Harrison for 3. Despite two very adjacent LBW appeals being turned down by our umpire who was now informed by the bowler “how are you getting home Arthur” the milestone that is his 800 hundredth wicket arrived four over’s later when he bowled Rice the Ashley number 9 and for the second week in a row he found himself on a hat trick when Ashley’s captain Brian Birtles came and went leaving Sorry John with one ball at young Tom Noble. Tom was met on his way to the wicket by Ferris who was overheard to say “just keep it out”. And while surrounded by fielders, out he kept it. The final over of the game was bowled by Zee who had now replaced Luke and yielded only one run, leaving Ashley nine wickets down and setting Upton 137 to win. For the first time since he joined the club Zee remained wicket less, something I find hard to believe considering the number of times he beat the bat. It would be wrong of me not to mention the fine innings of the Ashley opener, Simon Ferris who carried his bat and held their innings together, finishing on 72 not out. And so to tea.

Ian opted for the opening partnership of Messrs Jones and Holmes who did not hang around scoring 24 off the first three overs. Unfortunately with our score on 30 Ian “Boom Boom” Holmes was bowled for 5, making way for George Williams. In the very next over AJ lost his off stump going for yet another big hit and was out for 25 off only 22 balls. This brought young Ally Hughes to the wicket and between them the youngsters batted very correctly adding 21 runs for the 3rd wicket before Ally was caught at mid on. The fall of this wicket brought Luke Williams to the wicket while proud parents Paul and Cath watched from the side lines. Unfortunately their partnership only lasted 10 runs when George was out to a quite brilliantly taken catch at first slip. If it’s any consolation George it will be a long time before you are out to a catch like that again? Upton were now 65-4. Enter Mohammed who with Luke added 22 runs before Mohammed edged one to slip and departed the field with 7 to his name. The Pope was next man in and with Luke added 32 before being bowled by young Tom Noble. The Duke came and went given out LBW to a ball that bounced twice! Not your day Ian? It was left to Nathan to see us home, giving the strike to Luke to hit the winning runs with a six and in turn bring up his fifty.

So two wins on the bounce, are we on a roll? Well next week see’s us back at UCG playing top of the table Cheadle Hulme. Playing them on a better wicket might just see a reverse of our previous encounter this season. Fingers crossed! The more curious amongst my readers might be asking themselves “who is the character at the top of this article”? Well the scholars amongst you should recognise Blind Pugh from Treasure Island. And similarity with our umpire is purely coincidental!