Yes you’re reading that right someone born after the 2005 ashes is writing a match report. This week we faced Harbledown CC at home in a friendly with a young side out with 9 being under 19 , Simon was delighted for his colt’s debut. The day started as all Sundays do... utter disorganisation. The author was shocked to find when he turned up at the meet time that only 5 players were there. He asked the captain where he was, to which he received- “why are you so early” (bugger). In fact, the meet time was wrong, and we were there an hour early. After our lengthy wait we were in to bat (WE WON A TOSS!!) Marriner and Kenny opened up, our decent first over was not followed up by another, with Kenny going back to one he shouldn’t. In comes Petty confident after seeing us home last week. Out comes Petty, he didn’t see us home this week. 2 down the Sunday veterans were getting PTSD.
In comes Norton with a point to prove backed by his skipper Lush. A brief partnership saw us to 38 before Marriner missed a straight one. Barker was in at 5 and built a great partnership with Norton who was finding the boundary with a lovely straight 6. Norton was out caught on 46, a top knock that set us well. Gagg in next who built on that partnership until Barker was caught behind for a well-made 39 that averted a collapse. In came the chairman next. The lads cracked on with another great middle order partnership until Gagg was bowled on 47, another great knock from yet another youngster. The chairman followed him shortly after, scoring a quick 32, a great cameo from the youngster (20 years ago). Lush was next, then smacked one only for it to be plucked with one hand- couldn’t have happened to a better bloke.
A decent first innings making 217 total, but we knew we would have to be on it for us to get the win. Patton and Lush opened up the bowling with Lush coming down from the White Horse end, striking first with a catch from Petty at point, never in doubt.. Patton followed up bowling up the hill taking 2 in his first spell. A good start and a change of bowling with Ludwin and Norton on with both starting to find their rhythm with their bowling. Ludwin from down the hill would take a wicket courtesy of a Lush catch and Norton would take 3 in a concerningly good spell (it’s not funny when he does well). Gagg was on from up the hill, you may be confused by their being two Gaggs but I’m not going to make any comment as that would be a bad gag. The oppo were 109/7 at drinks.. should be easy from here.. oh wait it’s the Sunday XI. Gagg junior was onto bowl next and kept it tidy from down the hill. Replaced by Lush at 30 overs the oppo had managed to get to 161/7 but with the skipper coming back on we were confident; however he failed to break the deadlock. This next segment may be slightly unbalanced.
We were in a pickle the skipper failed to break the deadlock with the oppo needing 43 off the last 8. The skipper looks up and spots his man. Petty. From down the hill he galloped in majestically and bowled 3 wides with everyone thinking the same thing, including the bowler who was starting to regret his request for a bowl. 4th ball, or the 1st legal ball, outside off... snick... caught by Kenny… appeal... out… running around like he’s one the ashes. A top personal moment and continuing his 1 wicket a season tradition. More importantly we had broken their partnership.
Patton replaced Gagg from up the hill and Lush replaced his strike bowler down the Hill. A run out saw them down to their last man but the oppo managed to get themselves needing 8 from 2 overs. Up steps the skipper and how is your bottle, 4 to win. Last ball of the 38th and Lush fires it through onto the stumps.. Wicket!! Brilliant as close as it can get. As good as friendly could be.
Apart from the premature arrival it was a great day of cricket with the middle order all scoring well and good bowling all round. Special mention to Norton and Gagg who batted and bowled brilliantly and Patton with a good first spell that got us going.

If you’ve bothered to read this far it was either decent or you're an absolute badger (Baker).
Thanks
Petty (strike bowler)