Collingbourne [H] Match Report

It gives me the greatest pleasure to write these words... we won!

Given the biblical downpour which stopped Saturdays from making the field, it was almost a miracle that play got underway today, but much like Noah and his Ark, it did feel like things came in twos.

A big thanks to Colin for his efforts this week in doing what was possible, inspecting the wicket to ensure it was playable and for re-doing the boundary line after the rain decided to wash the first one away. And to Dave for not only cutting the outfield in the only hours that rain was falling this week, but for also umpiring in another thriller on home turf.

The only loss of the day came at the toss where our stand in captain's side was put into bat by the visitors... and boy did we capitalise!

As we opened the batting, the second miracle of the day occurred (these things came in twos) as Paddy made the field despite feeling the full effects of an off license's worth of wine from the evening prior. As we smashed through the opening overs, our stand in skipper knocked 50 in the way we've almost come to expect... and despite Al's post-match scores, it was another commendable effort, and a reminder of how great it is to have such quality in our side... nice one Jamie!

But a single 50 wasn't enough today so Will took to the field (with his first bat) and looked to push on quickly, with Sam following in pursuit with strong intent. We went into drinks just a single wicket down with 92 on the board. I grabbed Will his second bat and we pressed on, as Sean came to the crease we were still looking solid. He smashed through shots quicker than a clay pigeon shoot and as the final few overs approached the task for those coming to the crease was clear: push, push, push... and we did, adding some 18 runs in the final two overs.

As I walked in, I handed Will his third bat and without taking much time to adjust to another piece of willow, he smashes a maximum to take himself to another 50 for the team (I did say things came in twos)!

We finished 176/4 off 30 overs. Just short of a run a ball on a pitch which wasn't handing out boundaries... half our runs came in 1's and 2's. Solid work all round.

Tea break and delicious goods were consumed courtesy of Jeremy and Suzy, thanks both, sterling work, especially for a last minute turnaround.

The stalwart Slade opened up proceedings and put in the performance we've all come to love. The highlight of which was Phil's slip catch in the 5th over... pretty sure everyone, including Phil watched that in slow mo. Great take. Al finished with an impressive 1-19 off 6 overs. At the other end Jeremy provided chances of his own with edge after edge... how he ended up wicketless is a shock, great bowling once more!

As Sam and Sean got in on the action we arrived at drinks at 62/1, a mark off the run rate. A quick-fire 21 brought a mild tension during overs 16 and 17 but it was short lived.

Then came pure brilliance, when our impressive fielding once again got its pay off. With batters pushing for a quick single, Sean ran in, collected the ball and delivered it with inch-perfect precision into our stand-in-skipper-slash-keepers hands who did the rest... you beauty.

Some time around here Jamie nearly took the catch of the day, diving back and away in an instinctive move, we all would have loved the ball to have stuck in the outstretched hand.

Brilliance continued as Sam helped himself to a gorgeous maiden, and as things came in twos today, Sean followed up with another.

This brought about the introduction of the Ripper. As Will threw down his first googly, you could sense the excitement and anticipation in the air. Then came another, then came the wicket... and then another wicket... hat-trick ball... surely? Nope... as I said... things came in twos today!

As I look the ball at the other end, the game was slightly in our favour, Winviz probably had us at 63% for the win.

Will continued strong... and as their batsmen made a last ditch attempt for runs, we took hold and Will helped himself to another wicket, followed by, you guessed it... another the next ball! Hat-trick this time? As I said, everything in twos today! A sterling performance mate, finishing with a 5 for 26 off 5 overs, a quality spell.

With an over to go, they required an almighty 31, but great fielding everywhere (no one had white whites by the end... including Alex who arrived in time to take a catch) we made it look as convincing as it felt as the visitors finished 152/7.

A quality win (our second as things come in twos), some incredible performances throughout and an extension to our unbeaten run of 4 games. It was almost poetic that the rain feel hard just as we walked off.

Thanks to Jamie for taking over skipper and WK duties... I can confirm no byes or leg byes in the field today, sterling effort behind the stumps.

We look ahead to Nomads next week.

1pm at the Recreation Ground of Dreams.

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