Telling Tails: Sunday vs Collingbourne

Paying away from home with 10 instead of 11 is always going to be a hard ask. Arriving with just 9 was an uphill challenge. But we had moments where we showed fight today. Not least with Warwick's insane spell, get this, 7 overs... 30 dot balls including 1 maiden, and going for just 14 runs, including just one 2, the rest singles and not a single boundary against him!

And somehow Warwick didn't take a wicket. It was probably harder not to take one with the spell he had. Nevertheless a spell which most of us would expect only in a dream, and on another day would be a match winning performance. We needed a big display from us all today and Warwick was one of those who showed up, fine work mate!

Al returned after resting his hamstring for a few weeks, and it was great to see him back at the popping crease. Most importantly taking out a key man for Collingbourne in his second over. A foolish 6 (you can't hit 6s against Al and get away with it for long) ensured that the family joined up as Al lofted in a tempter which scaled upwards and came nicely into the hands of nephew Chris at point, another return to the side after a week in paradise. Lovely start.

If only I hadn't then dropped the big hitting man at 3. Not an easy take down the slope, but thats a poor excuse, we should have had a second. Sadly the batsman later retired (50*), I think I dropped him under 10. It could easily have been a different game from this alone.

Drinks breaks can bring break throughs and as I arrived at the popping crease for my opening ball, desperate to hit a decent line and length, the batsman fired one at point where Laurence knabbed it out the sky with one hand. Some redemption.

Onwards... and after Warwick was finished being awesome, Paddy arrived and took 3 wickets in 3 overs... pretty bloody awesome too. I asked Sean to 'show me how it's done' and he returned for his second spell and took an immediate wicket, bowling the batsman on his first ball. Clearly, thats how it's done.

A decent effort with 9 on a tricky wicket as Collingbourne finished the 35 overs with 211 for 7.

Nick and Laurence opened things up as per 7 days ago and much to the same result... timing was spot on and Laurence was seeing it like a beachball. An incredible knock, which put us a long way ahead of the required run rate, it included ten 4s! And Laurence was off the field before the 10th over. At the tenth over we were 74 for 0 compared with Collingbourne on 60 at the same marker. So a decent step ahead.

That's until the home side made a change to their bowling attack.

They penned us in and we struggled to get moving. Chris showed his intent to get off the mark with a 6, but was sadly sent packing a little after.

Warwick took the strike from me for 4 overs straight and hit 17 in the process before a plum lbw sent him back for an early beer.

Around this point, we hit 22 overs, with 119 on the board. At the shame stage, Collingbourne where 137. The tables had turned.

I smashed a few, found a few fielders and had high hopes of partnering long term with Sean, but with the game slipping from us, we had a choice to make, see out the overs and struggle to get the runs required, or go big, risk it and hope that it's boundaries not wickets. I went at the straight one and missed the ball to walk back to the pavilion for just 14.

Malcolm faced 2 balls before volleying one back to the bowler and Al hit through beautifully on his first ball only to be taken at square leg for a golden.

Laurence returned, smashed a 6, a 4 and was ready for a beer. A fantastic knock of 63! And his first retirement for us as a club. Incredible mate!

We finished 8 wickets down (all out with 9 men) for 169. 43 runs short of our target with 21 balls left.

A great effort with a reduction in resources.

Nevertheless a lovely day out and thanks to Collingbourne for the good hearted nature and spirit that they brought to the game.

We're now in our final month of the season. 3 Sunday games and 2 T20s remain. Including this Tuesday against Chilton Foilat and Sunday against Nomads.

Get those responses in, lets finish this season strong!

Go well. Cheers.