First XI Match Report vs Bath 2s (A) Saturday 30th July

By Will Thomas

As the mini bus, driven by Gavin Shipman himself, took us to the North Parade, expectations were high for a great day’s cricket. The team welcomed back the King himself, Harry. His bears a striking resemblance to world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler, but is more affectionately referred to as Human Shrek. As the clouds rolled over, a few spots of rain delayed the start of play, this still didn’t stop Shrek from being late, too many veggie sausages to eat in his swamp. I was surprised to lose the toss and ask to field first. The wicket was used, but looked like a good one with a nice green tinge showing live grass.

There was not as much in it for the bowlers as you would expect in the first 10 overs of play. James and Josh, the ying and yang of BCC, bowled nicely without threatening too much. The ball hardly swung, or deviated off the pitch and so as Bath 2s found themselves 29/0 in the first powerplay, it was a good effort. A few said I Then it was time for Chris Bolton to come into the attack, who would’ve felt a bit hard done by with an LBW appeal. After reflecting on the live stream, it seemed to be going under! The score pushed on but didn’t get away from us as PK came into the attack to make the first breakthrough, a brilliantly bowled flighted leg spinner. His tempo was good and looked in great rhythm as he combined with the returning Kinger, a bowling partnership of dreams. Scottie got it down well, hitting his county lengths and extracting as much out of the pitch as anyone as he took the second of the wickets with an excellent stumping from Mr Bump, Bath 102/2 from 25 overs.

The second half of their innings we had to work hard in. Bath captain Kester Moseley played fluently, asking questions of PK and milo with reverse sweeps and paddles, causing some headaches with the field placement. They retained their right and left hand combination as well with number 4 Harry Allen rotating well and driving the King through the off side for a boundary (not very fair). A positive from Saturday was our speed between the overs. With Kinger clocking 2 minute overs, it rushed the game along and allowed us to appear to have bowled a few more overs than expected, contributing to the cheaper run rate. The last 10 overs with wickets in hand was always going to be difficult, a notoriously hard ground to defend I actually think our bowlers did well and as discussed earlier we would have been happy with anything under 250. They finished 249/4 with PK and Milo picking up the other two wickets. The first half’s job was done, cam fielded it twice, I dropped a catch, James Riley got sunburnt in 18 degree heat and Josh was mean to one of their batsman, just a normal Saturday.

As we got ready for the second half the BCC Barmy Army were out in full force, at one point I saw Richard Stephens with a pint of ale, a pink gin and tonic and a double port. Triple parked at bath, sun out and Munds’ asking if it was Christmas, what an afternoon this could turn out to be. It was PK to open the batting this week with Edward Scissorhands, and a no ball first up allowed him to get off the mark with a bullet-like flick through mid on. Both played so positively, but it was PK to fall first, strangled down the leg side for 15, he didn’t want to go. I went in at three and was scratchy, but I had the best view in the house for a few overs. As Charlie caressed the ball through the covers, once, twice and three times (a lady), I did have to ask him if they had ever seen him bat before. After a couple of fours, I was out for 19, bringing Milo to the crease with us 69/2. Little Miss Show Off was certainly aware of the tables we had booked later and I think he might of mistook 9pm for 7pm as he looked to get the game done. He was unlucky to fall to a great caught and bowled from my man for 18. 94-3 from 17 overs.

As hero Munds went in with his cape on at number 5, I mistook his bat for a walking stick. His first 25 runs came behind square as the Ironmould Rahul Dravid guided and swept the ball from the spinners to the shortest parts of the ground with ease. Experience. As Brainer drove the ball down the ground for one to bring up his half century he politely pointed his bat in celebration to his teammates, the Army and the family stand where his parents were sat. Now it was 160-3 and with less than 5 an over the crowd was becoming jovial. It was then time for Chris Munden to bring up a first half century of the season with a cut for four. This meant that he passed his highest score of the year and so stick that where the sun doesn’t shine Cainsey (for those that don’t know, Munds was ‘talked out’ by him last week).

As Brainer continued on his merry way to consecutive hundreds, unfortunately Munds departed for 58, bringing Duffman Josh in at 6. Even with still 27 runs required, and Charlie 88* he knew he would have to get a move on to reach the milestone. He slapped one through mid wicket for four, that found its way into Simmo’s hands as the crowd continued to go wild, before clearing the nets on the far side and bringing up a brilliant hundred. You could see his pearly whites from the balcony as he saluted his bat to all parts of the ground. It was a brilliant hundred to go with last weeks ton and the 89* against Bath he scored earlier on at home in the reverse fixture. At a quite staggering average of 70, he is on target to break a few records if his form continues in the last few games. He won the game with a six in into the bank, a huge hug from Wig and a few cheers from the barmy army. Well played sir, you legend.

It was great to have a day where so many came out an supported and I want to thank everyone on behalf of the team for coming to watch. It makes such a difference to play in front of people who have, and continue to do, so much for the club. Sometimes things don’t quite go your way, look at last week for example, but it is for days like Saturday where you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than out on that pitch. Or maybe that’s just me. We play Twyford House this week at home, who we tied to earlier on in the year. They have always been a competitive side, and we will have to play some of our best cricket to win.

5/5 to finish the season and who knows what could happen.