Eleven broadly fearless Brislington warriors turned up at Bath’s notorious Brownswords on the evening of 27th April for our first clash of the season. This in itself no mean feat with Wiggy, the Junior Chair, neglecting to tell us the fixture had indeed been rearranged to Thursday, coupled with the threat of much needed rain. Despite all this, all of the team made there way successfully up to Lansdown, kitted appropriately, eager to start the season.

Ben Sharp (Sharpy), selected to skipper the side, won the toss and elected to bat. The Daggers were a newly form U15 girls team, sporting the compulsory team ponytail and in the main towering above our lads. Rosie stepped up to bowl the first over. Dot, four byes, four, no ball + 4, no ball + 4, 6. In a flash we’d found ourselves on 26 for 0. With Sharpy on ten after 2 magnificent boundaries. The opening pair went on to make 34, before Sharpy was caught by Katie not adding further to his score from the first over. The 3rd Ayre(s) (Alfie),then took to the stage, showing signs of a carefully constructed innings, before falling to Pheobe bowled for 10. Mr Plummer continued solidly facing 21 balls for a very useful and respectable 12. At 74 – 4, with the rain clouds blew away and a chance to shine (terrible pun!) immerged. As the Sun shone fine Ollie (Pearson) and Raul (Singh) took to the crease.

These two together put on 1 short of a nifty fifty partnership, with Raul hitting the crispest of drives for one boundary (named shot of the match by coach Bowden) and Ollie, looking in total command and playing some masterful shots and looking the real deal, particularly considering he’s still eligible for U11 cricket. With 4 from Frazer and 3 from Kyle, oh and the small matter of 37 from No balls, the Bucks found themselves on 144 of 16 overs. Baths best figures with Katie Llewellyn with 4.0.31.1

By contrast the Bath Dagger did not get off to the same start. With Raul running out Iyshea and bowling Eva in the first over, Bath found themselves 2 for 2 at the end of the first. However, Jess and Katie took to the crease and between them put on 48. Jess particularly was stand out, getting 33 from 20 balls. The 3rd Ayre had been despatched twice for four by Jess in his first over, one of which ricocheted against the stone wall of the ground. However the 3rd Ayre, is a seasoned cricketer having started playing in his back yard aged 1, and presumably having had to adapt his bowling style many times when bowling to the 2nd Ayre. On his last bowl, he was smart , bowling a slower fuller ball, which was Jess’ undoing bowling her middle stump. This was a critical and considered wicket. After this Bath did not put up much resistance, with no other player making double figures. The wickets we’re shared around. Of note from the newest player Hannan, a confident caught and bowled. And an excellent catch in the deep to a high ball from Kyle (Johnson).

In total the Daggers managed 102, with 56 extras of which 42 were wides. Work for the coaches there me thinks. Kyle returned the best figures, 2.0.7.1.

Apologies to the twitter followers, whom I left hanging by not tweeting the outcome after setting the scene earlier on. More details abut this match, plus players stats can confusingly be found on a separate Brislington Cricket website which can be found at: http://brislington.play-cricket.com/website/results/3157847

I am also very keen to share out the match report duties, so please do come forward to pen a line or two.

Onwards to our next fixture at home on Tuesday 2nd May against Lansdown.