Second XI Match Report vs Bishopston 2s (A) Saturday 6th August

By the Ironmould Outsider

As you may have noticed the Ironmould insider has been absent of late. Circulating rumours that his identity has become known.

This Saturday the team were away to Bishopton. A familiar ground to most. As we drove down Cricket Lane, the electric gates opened and we were welcomed.

Unfortunately we are without John Iles who is on a sabbatical for the remainder of the season. We thank him for scoring the games he was available- legend!

The normal warm up of smoking fags and drinking orange fanta began. Ashley began to bully the rest of his team. Captain of Bish, Wayne, called me for the toss. It has been noted that I am in fact a wonderful tosser - winning 10 of the 12 I’ve been involved in this season. With this being said, I lost this one and we were invited to bowl. Another new ball partnership this time with league leading wicket taker Wintersgill given the nut. After a 4 first ball and wide the second I was questioning my decision! Next ball, wicket - a lovely delivery bowled their opener. Rhys again had the honours from the other end. We were delighted this week as we didn’t manage to lose the match ball after his second ball! Bish off to a solid start but we always felt they weren’t really getting away from us. Rhys bowled his 8 through again and regularly threatened but with no real luck. Trial by spin then began and we really did impose ourselves. Charlie and Ethan bowling with real threat. The runs seemed to dry up and the wickets began to fall. Wristy and then Craig were back in to the attack. Wirsty with 2 and Craig picking up a further 3. Bish finished on 171-9. Some of the best spin bowling we’ve seen all year.

A quick tea interval and we’re back out. Myself and Ashley went to umpire. Rhys and Callum again the partnership. Rhys got off to a flyer and Cal too. Some wonderful shots by both batsmen. The entire teams favourite player Cal unfortunately was bowled. This brought our leading run scorer Jon ‘red ink’ Rogers to the crease. Him and Rhys were hitting runs at ease and we got in touching distance of the total. Rogers then fell for a well scored 47. Grove was joined by Glovebox who continued with his new found technique of actually trying to hit the ball and the score was reached with 5 overs to spare. Rhys 72*, well played again. Glovebox average increases again and made 20*.

We move on to Almondsbury next week and with our batsmen in form and the B&D league structure leading wicket taker at our disposal, we are still in with a chance of promotion.

We thank Bish for their hospitality who have confirmed they are most enjoyable team to play against.

POTM - Charlie Phillips
Donkey of the Day - nobody
Quote of the day - “the welsh fire team are about as welsh as a lasagne” (opposition captain)