2s slope to defeat at Detling

With our planned League opposition having cried off, we gladly pocketed the 20 points and headed up Pilgrims Way to take on Detling in a friendly.

Getting there safely proved memorable for Farhan Ali. Having initially parked inside the boundary he then found himself trying to drive up a very steep bank. Wheels spinning, he was seen slipping backwards into the bushes. It took several team mates to push him out of trouble. And the less said about his skid marks the better.

Skipper Croom, to avoid the inevitable, let the home skipper choose to bat. The pitch, on its infamous slope looked a little patchy.

Ben Lush opened from the western end. It is not easy bowling there with ground dropping away from you but he started well. An early edge went past the fingertips of Skinner in slip. Another tricky high opportunity fell to young Ollie French but was not pouched. Lush finished wicketless but with impressive figures of 8-4-18-0

Flynn Armstrong added a youthful look to our opening attack. He moves the ball well but struggled to maintain his accuracy on the slope and his figures were 5-0-29-0.

He was replaced by Kian Young who looks a good talent, getting some late swing bowling left arm over. His 6 overs only went for 18 runs.

The ever sprightly Redders Redman took over from Ben Lush. He broke through quickly and got the opener clean bowled for 20. Next ball had the number 3 plumb in front for a golden duck. Another l.b.w and a clean bowled meant he finished with impressive figures of 8-0-28-4.

The fielding was its usual mix. Kian Young looked quick with a good arm. The two youngsters did well, even after one took a ball to the face after a nasty bounce.

Ollie French came on to bowl and swung the ball nicely. He accounted for their captain who was smartly held at mid off by Croom. His figures were 4-0-21-1

Farhan Ali and Jamie Baker also bowled 4 overs each with a mix of deliveries.

John Savage repeatedly put his body on the line behind the stumps. A combination of some erratic bowling and an uneven bounce meant he took several blows. After yet another ball hit his wrist, Skinner took over the gloves for the last couple of overs.

Detling ended on 179 for 5 off their 40 overs.

After tea Skinner and Croom (a.k.a Beauty and the Beast) opened the batting. Croom played round a straight one from their young opener, departing for 2

Ali came in at three and perhaps needs to get his eye in before trying to knock the leather off the ball. He missed a straight one and departed second ball.

Filmer looked good but when he was on 16 shaped to cut a delivery that literally did not get off the ground after pitching and he was unfortunate to be bowled.

Young was next in and looks like he has some shots. He was bowled for 10.

Ben Lush was batting at 6. He was perhaps a little cautious with his running but he timed the ball well and looked a genuine all-rounder.

Throughout the carnage, Skinner was looking comfortable and played some surprisingly good shots. That included two leg glances for four which reliable sources say he is normally rubbish at playing.

After the drinks break though, he switched off and played a loose drive and was caught in the covers for 26.

Jamie Baker was bowled without scoring.

Flynn Armstrong was next in. Belying his youth and size he can hit the ball powerfully and scored a couple of nice boundaries. He needs to work on his running and calling though. He went for 9.

Redders departed for 1 followed by French and Savage who both got ducks.

Lush was left stranded on 36 not out. An excellent innings.

We were all out for 113, well short of their total.

We then took to the beer garden and imbibed with the pleasant opposition, whilst listening to Chris Filmer rant about their wicket.