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Plums!!
"A long long time ago in a far off place (Netherne) Adam was eating a Galaxy (well Mars anyway!)"
The next leg of the 'Return to 2' saga took us to Netherne for what turned out to be our toughest battle, by far, this season. The skipper once again won the toss and decided, without hesitation, to field first. The skipper and Lucky Goff opened the attack on a slow, lowish wicket with a lush outfield. Accurate bowling restricted the oppo to a just a few runs in the first 10 overs but the captain still wielded the axe to cut Goffer down in his prime for not taking a wicket !!! Andy Morgan, being just about as lucky as Dazza, replaced him and too found a lovely length and line to bowl at the openers. The Chairman dropped a sitter behind the stumps and hung his head in shame. Eventually our persistence paid off as the skipper got the opener to play on.
By now we had realised that the on side was the favoured area for our hosts and some extraordinary shots were played during the innings from outside the off to where the cows would have been!! Saying that we are no strangers to the 'Holmwood drive' ourselves as later in the game was to prove. By now our fielding was putting pressure on the batsman to hurry-up and Greg Lapere comfortable took 2 good catches whilst Robin Lines took a great one in the deep. Netherne's skipper came to the piece a little late and hit some crackers before the innings was closed with a total of 155-5. A mention for our best fielding performance of the season, Adam Russell, Greg Lapere, Robin Lines and the old gits in the covers (Andy Guest + Rob Tyers)
Take a bow Morgs who ended with 3 - 40 off 17 overs whilst the skipper had 1-25 off 13 overs.
The teas were exciting for a while as a number of our players had mouthfuls of ham when we were told 'Don't eat the ham it's off". Seconds later, after some regurgitation had happened, the all clear was sounded and again we were 'allowed' to swallow the ham…
Off we went in search of 156. Tyers and Lines, the 2 Rob's, were in no mood to give their wickets away and after 1 hearty LBW appeal Wet Weather received some late sledging regarding fruit stall and favoured items including PLUM(S). Wet weather was not happy and had the first of MANY altercations with the oppo. Maybe he should be now known as KNOCKY Tyers !!! Anyway, the 2 put on a healthy partnership against some tight bowling on a still slow tricky wicket. Tyers went first and the Chairman wasted no time in trying to rectify the runs leaked after his drop behind the sticks earlier. Lines jnr went next for a patient 35 to a slow full delivery which had his eyes bulging as if 3 naked ladies had winked at him at once. The chairman to got a little excited by the slower pace on the ball and played on for a quick 41. Guesty again failed to lift one over the infield and chose mid off this time to take the catch. Nobby came and went in a flash leaving Matt Jordan and Dazza to push on. Next came the bump ball incident that so riled the oppo's president that words were had and balls thrown/passed firmly to the umpire which led to a few wry smiles of disbelief form Knocky Tyers. Anyway Goffer then started to use the 'Holmwood drive' and with Matt then Adam for support saw us home with 3 balls to go for a 3 wicket victory.