1st Team vs Theale & Tilehurst

After being let down early in the week we were very grateful to Theale & Tilehurst for stepping up and letting us play a friendly at their ground at short notice:

Winning the toss was a good way to start the season and for a giggle we chose to bat on a pitch which would only improve all day in the sun. That being said it was our job to impose ourselves and being 1-3 off 14 balls probably wasn’t the best of starts.

Maccers and Freddie steadied the ship and then Freddie was joined by Enam to take us up above 90. When Freddie fell for a valiant 47 the rest of us collapsed as well to reach a below par 128 with 10 overs left as well.

Knowing that we had to bowl well and field well with only 10 players, tight areas and lines was our key to victory and Faizullah and Freddie started well but with no luck. The luck eventually come when a midfield from Eric behind the stumps led to a mix up and a run out.

Jimbo and Miles then combined to bowl 15 overs straight through together bowling both economically and picking up crucial wickets to take us to the drinks break with the game in the balance.

After drinks Daryl Baines bowled superb spell of 9 over 2-14 including 4 maidens and combined with Enam who bowled his usual tight lines to set up a 30 needed of 10 overs scenario.

Faizullah and Freddie came back at the death and picked up a few wickets and with the game balanced Faizullah cleaned up the final wicket to secure a 2 run victory with 10 balls spare.

With the exception of the top 3 batsman everyone got a good run out and we met a new team we had never played before and played an enjoyable friendly. To win with 10 men made it even better and a good springboard into the season starting next week.