First XI Match Report vs Twyford House (H) Saturday 6th August

We hosted Twyford House on Saturday at the sunny Ironmould Lane, a change from the last couple of overcast weekends. As suncream was applied, JR was zinced up and ready to face his idol. It isn’t true what they say about Heroes – you should always meet them. With the team being unchanged, we were buoyed from last week’s win away at Bath. Having chucked the coin in the long grass, it came up heads and we batted first, a day to go and score big!

Myself and Charlie opened up. Twyford started well, the swinging ball made it difficult to score. I was out for 5, snicking off to Chris Taylor – he doesn’t drop em. This brought PK to the crease and the cricket wizard went about his business nicely, putting pressure back on the opposition by scoring any time the ball was slightly off line. Brainer looked his fluent self, it was a masterclass in cover driving the shine off the leather. A few good overs meant we ended the powerplay 57/1. As the two continued to build their partnership, PK played some signature sweep shots off the spin passing 50 in just 40 balls. Not long after it was Brainer who passed that milestone in 54 balls, I didn’t film it for the Instagram because I am sure everybody is getting fed up of seeing his pearly white smile. PK got a move on and brought his ton up in the 28th over, pulling a short ball all the way for six and giving a Nasser Hussain style celebration where his bat certainly did the talking – legend. He departed shortly after to a very nice catch on the long side, leaving Bris 199/2 from 30 overs and eyeing up a big total.

What happened after was a series of unfortunate events. Brainer was out for an exceptional 89, a few gasps in the crowd when he eventually got out. Milo fell to the best that I have ever witnessed live on a cricket field. Fariplay to Twyford player Jacob Neville, running round 30 yards and full length diving one handed, a shame that Jon’s lens was not even wider to pick it up for the youtube! Chris. my Hero, Munden was bowled around his legs before Cameron George hit the ball back with the bowler getting a little touch and running out Josh Whitemore. Cammy G, not Honey G, was then caught on the deep cover boundary and we found ourselves 245/7 with 9 overs still remaining. Jack Gunningham combined with Chris Bolton at the crease and swung the momentum back in our favour. Both players went out with great intent, running between the wickets brilliantly, putting pressure on the opposition fielders. They are quick. Both drove the ball excellently, Jack hitting straight and Chris targeting extra cover. Their partnership of 78 from just 53 balls took us past the benchmark 300 score as we ended on 323/8 - Chris unselfishly out last ball for 28. Jack finished 42 not out.

At tea we were happy with the runs on the board. However, we knew the opposition and the quality that they possess with the bat. When you are batting on Gunny’s tarmac, you can come out and play shots – and that’s what they did!

Opening up for us were Jelly baby James to run up the hill like Kate Bush and Duffman Whitemore to stumble down it. 76/1 from 6 overs, the leather was being chased and my head was starting to ache. Luckily it didn’t take a long to bowl the overs, we were right on schedule. A bit of luck got us going with Milo making the first breakthrough. A great catch from Mr Bump gave frustrated JR a wicket, before the big one from little Wig taking Twyford to 88/3 from the opening powerplay. Cam and Chris were introduced into the attack, and provided excellent control in the middle period. Cam took a wicket with his best ball of the day, and the first of his spell, another brilliant catch from little Guns. 114/4. Chris got a much deserved wicket, caught in the deep. My hero said that he ‘lost his house’ which was a fair point considering my polo hands in the past couple of weeks. 126/5. As the bowling was chopped and changed, everyone got in on the act. King Harold, who gained another affectionate nickname Hagrid this week, got amongst the wickets. Another wizard, PK, worked his magic at the other end. 168/7. A nice partnership then formed between 8 and 9 for Twyford, similar to our own earlier on in the day. Powder puff JR ran out Armfield to leave them 215/8. Mr Riley, the new resident crumb sweeper, took the last couple of wickets as we bowled them out for 244. 7 bowlers were used on a hot day, with Cam and Chris’ spell being the highlight.

Overall, it was a great day for the side with a very tough player of the match to pick.
Brainer was brilliant with his 89, but it couldn’t go to him because he missed out on his triple century – pathetic. Jack’s runs were excellent and his catching exemplary but he missed a stumping of JR with an over to go and so it’s not him. Chris nearly put together the complete performance, bowling and batting excellently before dropping a catch in the deep – its not him. PK got a hundred and so usually a shoe-in for a motm award, but the Hussain celebration means it can’t be him. For this reason I will have the award this week. How could it not? 3 catches, brilliant batting and learning from my last mistake at ironmould lane vs Keynsham bowling myself.

Next week we host Bristol 2s, who have performed well recently. 4 games to go, 4th in the table and 24 pts off top spot Congresbury who we travel to the week after next. Thank you for reading, these reports seem to be getting longer.