SECOND XI MATCH REPORT SATURDAY 18TH JUNE VS PORTISHEAD (A)

By the Portishead Peeker

After last weeks defeat to a very good Almondsbury side, Bris 2’s were to travel to Portishead in an attempt to get the promotion party back on track.

Unlike the previous 6 weeks, rain and dark skies were to be woken upto. That wasn’t going to dampen the recent good spirit amongst the side and a mini bus was again the chosen form of transport to get to the Lake Grounds. With the newly adopted team song of Elvis’ Burning Love almost blowing the already loose doors off the bus we were on our way.

4 players came in this week as Captain Henley rung the changes. Ethan Maule one of the new players, to the delight of the whole club. Rogers received a miracle, also back was Longega and Hake.

Rain welcomed our arrival and more devastating news of no milk in the clubhouse was to follow. Number one fan Steve (Janet) James was aboard the bus and delighted at the news of the bar being open whenever he wanted it, bottles of Morretti soon followed. Soon enough the rain relented and the toss was done, a 15 minute delayed start was all. Bris were batting. Now what do we do?!?!

Nick gave an inspirational team talk, it’s going to be slow and low, outfield not very quick so dig in, grind it out. Keep wickets in hand and try to get a decent total.
First ball after trying to hit the opener to Clevedon with a big swing and a miss, the boys were sat in the pavilion scratching their heads. Nick then only tried to hit the second ball for 6, maybe he was calming down a bit! A thick outside edge crunched the third man on the knee and trickled over for 4. We were up and running. Ash Nutt and Henley both took it in turns to caress fours through the covers and we looked settled.

With the introduction of the first change bowler Nutt tried to pull a full one, bang in front, Wintersgill raised the finger.
This brought Ian Thomas to the crease, fresh from repressing the B&D league midweek with his new best friends. The pair inside and outside edged ourselves to 45-1 off 12 and we were happy. Nick was then bowled and Harry Long came in, greeted with the opposition fielders comments of “he’s very tall this lad isn’t he”

He didn’t last long as Glovebox hit a full toss straight to mid off, with a score of 0 he was off to his rightful place to join the Mallards in the pond. Local walkers and sightseers ignoring signs up not to feed the ducks and throwing loose feed at the disgraced ‘batsman’.

Jon Rogers limped in to join Thomas and the pair progressed nicely. By drinks 75-3 and the boys thinking, maybe we should bat first more often. Dodger then got out and Craig strode in, batting nicely with Tomo the senior statesman of the league brought up his first half century of the season at a crucial time. His tired body then ran past one and was stumped for a well played 51. Craig (22) and Ben Sharply (29) including a superb ramp shot, gave the innings a boost towards the end and with a few helpful extras Bris made 183.

Half time we were happy but knew with rain around we’d have to be clever and cowl and field well. After a quick turnaround we were out and at 14-0 off 3 the heavens opened. We thought that would be that. Janet and new close friend Chelsea were laughing and chatting and reminiscing about the good old days in the bar.

Half hour went by and the rain stopped, with a reduction of overs Portishead now needed 138 off 30 overs, all results very much possible. Nick straight away chucked the ball to league leading wicket taker Craig and Hakey from the other end. Jon snicked one off to Sharply who took the catch before Wintersgill got an LBW followed by a slip catch from Rogers. Bris smelt victory. Nutt then took a superb sprawling catch after slightly misjudging it to reduce the hosts to 44-4. Unfortunately it then hammered down and didn’t stop, so handshakes, showers and beers all round for a good draw. It was a shame not to get the chance to see Maule get a bowl but hopefully the spark is back and he’ll return again!

12 points picked up, a great day out. Renewed hope and with a home game this week, maybe the promotion charge has been relit. And the bus managed to make it back safely.
Elvis is rumoured to be under pressure after a new song forced its way in to contention to be most played second team anthem. Goldie Looking Chain’s - your mothers * got a *

MOM - Ian Thomas
Donkey of the Day - Glovebox
Quote of the day - Ashley Nutt “are those real boats on that lake?”