2nd XI Match Report vs Midsomer Norton 2s (A) Saturday 9th July

By the Norton Narrator

A glorious summers day welcomed the arrival of Bris 2’s but more impressive was the new facilities at Withies Lane. Midsomer Norton the hosts to the first game of the reverse fixtures and the best ground for us to visit by far.

As we sat on the new pavilion veranda listening to summer BBQ tunes having a bit of team bonding time it was a great start to the day. Inside the changing rooms looked like a tribute to the Eric Prydz, call on me music video.

Good news at the toss, captain Henley won and said we’ll have a bat. An exciting new and blossoming partnership went out to get us underway. Nutt and Westbrook started well and looked at ease. Callum leant on one and it raced away for 4. A quick outfield to match a lovely wicket we knew we’d have to get a good score. Nutt caressed 2 fours, one offside and one legside whilst Westy was also picking off the bad ball dispatching for boundaries. 12 overs in and 55-0 we were delighted.
Both then fell to full tosses which somehow crept through so a slight rebuild was due.

Longega and the returning fully fit Rogers then set about adding to the total. A good mix of defence and punishing of bad balls took us up to 99-2 off 20. Half way with wickets in hand the boys were still happy.
The next 10 overs Norton tightened it and we lost Glovebox, Henley, Sharp and Wintersgill only adding 28 runs to 127-6 after 30. What looked a great start had now stalled a bit. Ethan Maule at the back of the changing rooms was heard to be saying “I haven’t seen a stutter that bad since Gareth Gates was on Pop Idol”

Dodger battled well and made his way to 49 before falling lbw, this brought the 8 times retired Matt Henley to the crease, Jon Hake greeted him and the target now was to try and get a competitive total and pass 175 for that extra bonus point. Plenty of singles to start before Hake smashed a 4 through mid off and Henley flicked one for 4 before he was out stumped. Hakey then went all out attack and smashed a 6 with all his might that just landed over the short boundary. A great cameo, he fell for a brilliant 36 and a final total of 196. What could’ve been more but also a lot less we weren’t too upset with a challenging total.

20 minutes short break in which Hakey and Nutty once again displayed their anger at tea no longer being a thing, we were back ready to go and defend the total. Hake and Wristy started off with immense control, the swinger with an early wicket and the spinner not conceding many. 25-1 off 10. Craig and Ethan, the fourteenth version of spin twins for the season were introduced. More class and control applied, Ethan(1-30) narrowly missing on on 3 stumpings before getting a caught and bowled and Craig (3-22) doing what he does best, getting a plum lbw, Ash with a great take at mid off and Nick plucking one out of the air like a vegan pork pie at mid wicket running back and taking a left handed catch to reduce Norton to 68-5 off of 23 overs.

Probably the best first 25 overs bowling and fielding that the seconds would have ever produced. It was like having several prime time Jonty Rhodes out there with a few Monty Panesar’s chucked in to balance it out!

The experienced pair of Hampshire and Webb then came together and put the pressure onto Bris. Running everything and putting the odd bad ball to the fence they were keeping up with the 8 an over required. Wristy (0-31 off 8) returned to finish off, a brilliant set!
It was at this point where Craig decided to take on a 50/50 with the ball and lost. His concerned team mates to a man never bothered to see if he was alright. Callum down on the boundary said “the only bloke I’ve ever seen go down quicker than that is Mo Salah; every week”

It was down to Hake and Matt to finish the final 6 with 54 still needed. Good batting brought the sides closer before Matt got Webb with a superb stood up catch by Sharply. Another of MSN former first team players Potter then came in and dispatched a poor Henley ball for 4 and then timed a lovely 6 off of Jonny.
Pressure really on everyone, down to 15 to win off of 2 overs with 4 wickets in hand. It could go either way.

The death pair then combined with Matt taking a catch to remove Potter that seemed to go miles up and take an age to come down. Luckily it stuck and Bris we’re back in it. Hakey then removed the number 9, another one that spiralled up and again Ben taking it. A brilliant 39th over, 4 runs 2 wickets and it was all or nothing. 11 runs 2 wickets 1 over.
Henley to bowl. First ball Hampshire cleverly placed into a gap for 4. Next ball he tried to go big and found the super glue hands of Jon Rogers at long on who took a great catch and swung the game back in our favour.
A single followed so 6 needed off 3, next ball a big swing found the edge and Sharps took the catch, Bris were home by 5 runs!

A tremendous celebration followed with outpouring of emotions in the stifling conditions, Bris knew they were in a game, a great game between two proper cricket clubs and when 3 quality, experienced cricketers were in our way we showed an enormous amount of courage, desire, effort, team spirit and nerve to see the game through. Many saying that it was the most enjoyable and satisfying game they’ve ever played in.
19 points and 4th in the league.

The showers and dressing room were buzzing, 10 cheeseburgers, 35 pints and a few renditions of Burning Love capped off the great away day at a lovely setting. Norton even had an evening of entertainment with a singer, comedian and magician performing. Unfortunately we had to leave before the singer started.

Man of the Match - The 11 in the whites of Bris
Donkey of the Day - Leigh Iles
Quote of the Day - John Iles talking to the opposition scorer upon Ash Nutt walking to the wicket “here he is, here’s our version of James Corden”