Hello dear reader I’m back from my trip to the out reaches of the county, Haslington near Sandbach. But before I comment on Saturday’s game let me take you back to the trials and tribulations of last week’s selection. Although eleven were selected on Monday by Wednesday we were down to eight, but thanks to the junior chairman by Thursday evening we had an additional player Zac Hemsworth with Simon asking me to contact him again after junior nets on Friday night for the additional two players. Fortunately our fortunes took a turn for the better following a chance phone call we obtain the services of Tom Woods and then Friday morning Barrie Burns strolled down to the club and our numbers were complete. It’s just as well as rain washed out junior nets that evening, but thanks again to Simon Mc.

The journey down to Sandbach was to say the least interesting as we pasted very long queue’s of traffic trying to enter Cheshire Oak’s, what a way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon? Turning onto the M56 saw even longer queue’s trying to enter North Wales, what a way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon? Suddenly out of nowhere the traffic on our motorway came to a grinding halt. He who laughs last etc. I suddenly had a panic attack, I hadn’t seen the Pope? In blind panic I phoned the Duke, “Have you seen Pieter or have we left him at the club?” The Duke eased my fears “Yes he’s sitting next to me” “Where are you I asked” informing Ian that we were stationary with no sign of movement up front. Ian replied”just passing Knutsford services, see you later.” The traffic suddenly starting to move and we were off again. Turning on to the M6 we again hit stationary traffic, put down to nothing more than congestion. Eventually this eased and we made our way to our venue. I’m sure dear reader that you are all conversant with Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and The Hare”? Well just one guess who was last to arrive, yes the Duke blaming his sat nav for taking him to the wrong school. Early learning for you then Ian?

As is normal when you arrive for an away match you stroll out to the square to see what has been prepared for you. Well in our case very little. The wicket looked like it had been played on for most of the season, with numerous lines painted on it. It had obviously been used for junior cricket as at one end there were two cresses marked, one a foot further up the pitch. This should be interesting? Haslington skipper James Blackwood informed me that he had been trying to remove this second line without much success but assured me that it would not cause us any problems. Well it was nice to be able to see one line albeit not the correct one.
With my trusty tosser Mr Tufty absent it was left to Sorry John to call. And so as is customary the coin went up, the call was “tails”” heads” I was informed “we will bat” Returning to the headmaster’s study I informed the troops of our good fortune “we’re fielding” After a quick discussion with the Duke it was decided that we should open with Zee from the school end, which Zee informed me reminded him of Hogwarts from the Harry Potter books. It’s a kinda of magic then Zee? And Tom woods from the road end. The first over went well for us as Zee bowled a maiden, as it happened the only one we managed during the whole Haslington’s innings. Tom first over was interesting to say the least. The first ball was smashed through the covers for four. The next bowled Haslington’s opener Wakefield. The next ball was a dot ball; the next bowled Haslington’s number 3 Michell and by the end of the second over Haslington were already on the back foot 4-2. Tom’s next over was a mirror image of his first as he claimed a further two wickets leaving Haslington with four batsmen back in the pavilion. My thoughts turned to the queues on the M56 and if they had now cleared in time for our journey home. As always happens there now followed a period of “see ball, hit ball” as Phil Michell Haslington’s number 6 batsman decided that the best form of defence was attack as he smashed the ball to the four corners of the ground. Ably supported by James Blackwood the Haslington’s skipper and opening bat a further 44 runs were added to their score before Zee struck for his first wicket bowling Michell for a very entertaining 25. With wickets falling again at regularly intervals it was left to Haslington’s skipper to add some very welcome runs to their score. The bowling was shared around with Mohammed replacing Tom (4/68) from the road end while young Zac replaced Zee (3/55) from the “Hogwarts “end. In his third over Zac took his first wicket in senior league cricket. Congratulations to you and the first of many I’m sure. There was a run out by the ever alert Pope before Alex showed that there was more than one Wood playing as with his very first ball he had Blackwood caught at slip by Barrie. The skipper had held their innings together and mustered 81 valuable runs, lasting 92 balls with 11 x 4 and 2 x 6. Haslington all out for 171 in 31.1 over’s. And so to tea.

So with our 45 over’s plus the 13 unused from Haslington’s innings we started our chase, opening as usual with the good Doctor and Mr Tufty. And it was Rob who went first playing far too early to a ball that according to Rob died in the pitch and bowled him for one. At least rob it was an improvement on last week and will no doubt keep all your fantasy fans happy? The fall of Rob’s wicket brought Barrie to the crease and he and the Doc added a further 16 before Barrie was caught at slip for 13, Upton 26-2. Tom now joined the Doc and any fears of another batting collapse were soon allayed as both batsmen took a liking to the Haslington attack adding 80 for our third wicket before the Doc was caught with his score on 41. Tom continued on his merry way now joined by his younger brother Alex sharing in a stand of 47 before Alex was bowled, leaving his brother not out on 86. Mohammed joined Tom as he completed his first hundred for the club, hitting 14 x 4 and 5 x 6. Shortly after reaching this milestone he was caught on the boundary trying to finish the match in style. This left the Duke to hit the winning run and bag us 25 points in the process.

A very enjoyable game played in the right spirit and hopefully when we return in September we will continue with the friendship we have made over the past two seasons. Oh and if you are interested dear reader the journey home was queue free. Next week we are at home to our friends from Warrington hoping for another 25 points, but if not another good game of cricket.