Match Report: Friendly XI v Long Ashton Occasionals

After a miserable day of steady rain it’s amazing this game got played. Thanks must go to LA skipper David who remained positive throughout, and to their newly purchased massive tarpaulin which kept the wicket bone dry. Shall we buy one?

During the coin toss said skipper pointed out that the cowboys hadn’t won this fixture since 2010 when we played them at Winford pissed out of our minds after watching England beat Slovenia down the pub.

Winning the toss we decided to bat. Simon and Iggy opened up and immediately set about putting their attack to the sword. After just 4 overs we had 38 runs on the board, 31 of them scored by Iggy. To say his innings was aggressive doesn’t do it justice – this was a man clearly not in control of his anger, and when he was bowled after just 15 balls, any semblance of self-esteem shattered, he sloped back to the pavilion sobbing and howling, a broken man.

In contrast Simon was every bit the image of calm and debonair. Until Evan pushed one straight back to the bowler and yelled yes. Simon was run out by miles.

Angelo and Evan kept it moving awhile, until next ball after hitting a straight 6 Evan was trapped LBW.

Bri and Ange scampered (not sure that’s the right word) a few singles before Brian was run out, then Nick and Ange put on a useful 20 or so before Nick was bowled (just as Iggy was describing how classy Nick was looking).

Angelo was seeing it well now and was finding the boundary regularly. He and Jeff ran well together pushing the score to 117 after 15 overs.

When Ange hit a huge 6 over long on he had reached his 50 and so retired for a much needed rest. But when Stroddy was golden ducked he could return to knock up a few more. The innings closed when last man Trev was bowled by the final ball of our 20 overs. 146 all out. Angelo 57 not out.

Chris and Trev opened the bowling. Their openers began well and at 8 overs were up with the required rate but some tight bowling from Chris and then especially Steveo, clearly relishing the conditions, put them under pressure and forced them into taking more risks.

Two stumpings by Jeffo from Steveo and Stroddys bowling changed the game and thereafter we were in control. The required rate steadily increased. Our fielding was sharp, particularly Brians judiscous use of his bionic legs, and then a tidy spell from Nick took it away from them.

When he bowled their number 7 first ball with the last ball of our 20 overs they had only managed 126 in reply.