Saturday saw us take on pre season favorties Tamworth following our abandoned game on Monday vs Barnards Green.

With an imaginative team theme of hats thought up by the captain we all arrived with various headwear on show, to a sunshine ground at Tamworth.

Early preparation was good and the decision to bat first on winning the toss was taken and followed through by captain fantastic meaning we needed to set a competitive score to stand a chance. With the BBC’s Nick Southall promoted back to opening position with Eggy we set about building a partnership. Eggy was farily serene for his standards whilst Greatness was racing along. They put on a fantastic 108 run partnership off 32 overs with Eggy getting another 67 before falling to a paddle sweep which was brought about due the change of bat and no fault of his own at all. Nick continued to motor along, watching Pearce and Bradders fall cheaply before he himself fell for 42 in the 38 over. Hez continues his impressive form with a well made 20, Ravi contributed a run a ball 18, Junior got a duck and was politely informed he was out by their skipper, Birdy (L) made 10, Luce finished 18 not out and Trav dived his way to 2 not out at the end leading us to 207. About 40 light from the position we were in we felt.

After the tea of the season so far we took to the field needing early wickets to stand a chance. Junior took the new ball with Trav (wedge hurt himself pumping up his guns) and picked us a breakthrough in his 2 over trapping their skipper LBW before politely informing him he was out. Trav picked up a wicket with an excellent caught behind from Cot standing up to leave them 2 down early. Junior picked up the other opener to leave them 20 – 3. The introduction of spin at both ends was to be vital as all wickets during our innings fell to spin. Pearce and Luce bowled in tandom pulling the run rate right down and picking wickets up along the way, another excellent catch from Cot off Luce and 2 bowled dismissals from Pearce left us in the driving seat with a victory in sight. Junior came back on and picked up 2 in 2 balls before Pearcey trapped another batter in front. This left us needing 1 wicket with 3 overs remaining. Junior trapped their number 7 in front to see us to an well earned victory – but praise must go to their batter who defending out for 20 odd overs before finally falling.

A quick change and back to the club to celebrate Luce turning 21, and again another excellent night had by all. Preparation was key to the victory here and a convincing 112 run one at that. A great opening partnership laid the foundations and application with ball and in the field saw us home, Coleshill next week at home to try and keep the run going.

Chris Guest – 07/06/2011