SECOND XI MATCH REPORT SATURDAY 4th JUNE vs BISHOPSTON 2s (H)

By the Ironmould Insider

This Saturday gone, Bris seconds welcomed the unbeaten Bishopston 2s to Ironmould Lane, looking to build on last weeks victory.
With Captain Nick awol in London searching for any Queen’s Platinum Jubilee memorabilia and Glovebox up north searching for something far more important, Bris made 3 changes.

Stand in skipper was Wintersgill who ordered his players to arrive early.
Once again we were bowling first, and confidence was high after a chaotic attempt at a warm up to strike fear into the opposition; it didn’t!

12th ball into the match disaster struck and top runscorer Jon Rogers pulled up injured and having to be carried off we were down to 10. Very sportingly the Bish Captain offered a fielder from their team and done this for all 38 overs, it was very much appreciated.

Onto the game, and we started well with Hake and Blake taking the new ball, we put the pressure on. At 22-4 we were in control.
Blake (2-21) then took a caught and bowled attempt very next ball to really put us in command. Captain Craig (3-22) and Jacob (1-26) again bowled well, but it was Jonny (2-25) who provided the club with the most embarrassing moment it’s ever witnessed. After bowling the opener who left a straight one, decided it best to wave him off and point him back to the dressing room!! Big fines!
Henley chipped in with a wicket and also chucked a lot of toys out of the pram.

Apologies were made and Thomas, Nutt and Wintersgill gave him cuddles and talkings to to get him to sort his life out. Special mentions to Newman for the most enthusiastic and quality fielding performance from someone who doesn’t want to play. Also Garland for fielding well and sticking with it despite injury.

End of innings 135-9 and Bris were delighted. Especially when Ben Sharp’s extra large Victoria Sponge made an appearance, it tasted as good as it looked.

Now for something that doesn’t usually happen, a nice easy run chase.
Nutt and Wintersgill to open up things started well, 25-0 off 10 a solid start, Ashley with 2 enormous 6’s off the spinner included.
With Craig out lbw and Nutt (19) caught behind, Thomas and Newman then set about getting us to the victory target, some nice shots and good running we progressed on to 55-2 at drinks. Then the Bris standard fun started, Newman bowled, Thomas (26) caught, Sharp caught, Blakey caught. 98-6 and that sinking feeling of here we go again!
Rogers limped out with Sharply running for him, they were back to the pavilion after a few singles which improved the momentum. Hakey (25) was holding it together and drawing victory closer with the now in Wardle. 13 to win off 13 balls and Jonny went for a drive, straight to cover and we were 8 down. Henley walked to the crease, he hit one to a fielder who looked like he might’ve caught it only for him to say it hit the floor and wasn’t out. In the tight game situation again a massive piece of sportsmanship.
A few singles and a Wardle reverse sweep for 4 left us needing 6 off the last over.
The onlookers on the patio and spread around the boundary were tense, praying for victory and with all three outcomes still very much realistic, anything could happen.
Matt to face and first ball decided to walk across his stumps and swing. Luckily the ball pinged off the bat and flew over the rope for 6!
Why win easy when you can win excitingly.

Victory for the 2’s, 17 points. Up to 3rd and hopefully more to come.

MOM - Jonny Hake
Donkey of the Day - Dodger
Quote of the Day - Matt Henley “I’ve lost my head ant I”