Pub Team Save the Day

Jags 136-6 (Brett 24*, Brolia 22, Sap 19*, Sam 2-23) beat Dobblers 132-7 (Butler 27*, Askew 18, Brolia 3-22, Wilde 1-16) by 4 runs

Owing to some questionable administration, the advent of the pingdemic and the vagaries of cricket at this low, low level, this one almost didn't happen. I'd booked the ground, booked the opposition, bought a match ball (at an absolute bargain price, it must be said) the weather was lovely. Then I contacted the opposition captain two days before the game and he said, "we've got 3". The next day, I pinged him again, and he said, "we've now got 2". Clearly he didn't really understand how rounding up a team works...

A few of us went into scramble mode, not wanting to lose a fixture, and sure enough, Dobblers to the rescue. We do have a lot of fun playing these chaps, and within a few short hours they had 8 or 9, we had 8 or 9 and we were back on. The original opposition captain sort of volunteered the two he had, and mentioned that he could contact the groundsman - but given the administrative skills on display I thought I'd do the rest myself. Sure enough, the two "volunteers" from the original team couldn't make it, probably as it turns out one of them had been ensnared in an unsuccessful romantic entanglement with two of our regulars. I gather it didn't end well, and the young lady decided she didn't want to see them again - whether at cricket or any other social occasion. Share and share alike, eh fellas?

Dobblers won the toss and fiendishly decided to bat. Brett and the Wildman opened the bowling with one of our genuine Readers balls. Brett has really been on one recently, and whilst he hasn't taken clutches of wickets, he is quite fun to behold with the slimline and energetic bowling action he is displaying. Cob was back doing his finest glove-work, and all was well in the world as we settled into a nice early pattern. A few wides, some decent fielding, some overall good bowling and two good opening batsmen meant this looked like being a good, competitive evening. Wilde, recently married and also sporting a new job - big summer for him clearly, was bowling with his lovely action, side on, high leading arm, good control, and no injuries getting in his way.

Scoring was gentle for a while, the high quality Readers ball perhaps proving difficult to get away, so Parrish decided to offer Phillips a go with the ball. Oh boy, was his single over of the evening quite the sight. Each individual ball was very much as Forrest Gump might have described a box of chocolates. Setting a field was a challenge. Parrish decided that he didn't want any more of this and Phillips was hooked. Then came Brolia. His first over was a warm up, clearly, 3 wides and no control. This was clearly a ploy, as it would make the batsmen think he was utter shit and make the wickets-which-you now-know-are-coming all the easier to get. Parrish also replaced Brett, saving some of him and Harry for the death overs.

Ant's second over swung into life, wicket first ball with a glorious good length ball that was vicious, dispensing with an opener by colliding with the stumps. I recall some good glove-work from Cob at this point, thrusting one of his mitts out to one side to stop a missile of a ball. Coslett and Parrish in the field were outstanding, Fardell and Phillips less so. I recall not so much diving for one, but instead gently laying down some time after it had gone past me - which probably got me some well-deserved abuse. I also dropped a chance off Parrish. Harry almost got a run out with a direct hit, but the batsman had just made it home.

Brolia followed up his missile with a wide, of course, and then bowled another, this one even better into two stumps, making that satisfying sound that lets carpenters of the world know that they will have some more work soon if he keeps this up. He then decided, to concede a 4, before bowling another, this time a well paced ball towards leg stump, sending it reeling. For all of his wickets, the fine people at the Readers cricket ball factory deserve immense credit.

Parrish was bowling nicely, but not very threateningly, apart from the one shelled chance, which was a tricky one, if we're honest. We often aren't honest. Sap popped into the attack here, having previously done some good work in the field. Sam from the Dobblers was playing lovely shots here, and Mr Askew as well, if I recall well. Sap's over was everything that can be good about this particular format - some filth, a nice shot for 4 and then one of the outstanding moments of the evening as Sap pitched one up, the batsman struck it firmly to the off side, and Sap leapt to his left and snaffled a very challenging caught and bowled chance. The prevailing reaction was one of astonishment, as though you were strolling through the park with your better half and a herd of jungle animals stampeded past you randomly, like in that one scene from Jumanji (the original good version, not the new version which is much less good); we just had not seen that coming.

 

The neighbourhood has gone wild.

He deserved it, but it just was not what anyone expected.

Parrish had to find an over from somewhere before the death, and he turned to part timer Coslett, who bowled a lovely slow controlled over for only a measily 4 runs, allowing Parrish to bring back the openers at the death. Sap continued to bowl, he never quite scaled the monumental heights of his caught and bowled, but, well, he didn't need to...

Brett and Wilde saw us home, Brett bowling one with a full ball and Wilde claiming a wicket with a really good catch by Coslett. Tom was in the ring, but it was tricky. What I mean is, I would have dropped it, so well done Mr Coslett. Ant then made absolutely sure he could not win the man of the match award by just ignoring a skied ball hit in his direction, like he had somewhere better to be - leaving Parrish to make up 30 yards of ground and almost get it. I actually think Ant was in danger of being hit on the head, either by the ball or by Parrish, maybe both.

The last over saw few runs and a comedy final run out with the batsman screaming as he failed to get home. 132-7.

Jags started with the familiar Parrish and Fardell combo. One good, one not so good. I bought some new kit recently and it really isn't working for me, so I think I might take it back. There was running and scoring, but it was slow going out there and I was about as fucking useless as I've been all season, playing and missing, not cashing in on easy chances, getting hit (I've been hit a lot this year, entirely my fault). Parrish thankfully was giving me clear instructions, so at least we kept moving. Eventually I was out to a wild swipe across the line to a nice faster ball from Jacko. And then I had a tantrum, getting back to the benches and throwing my kit on the floor like a 5 year old being denied chocolate. I'm having an absolute turd of a season, but there really is no excuse, and I apologise to all present.

Bad Fardell, naughty...

Phillips was out for a while, and scoring was still hard. Matt found his range with a few 4's and there was a good range of decent running on display, before Parrish shockingly succumbed trying to up the pace, caught at deep mid-wicket. He doesn't get out much so it's always a shock when it happens, and we were well behind the rate. Phillips hung on briefly with Ant before falling LBW to the two paced Jacko - one pace is friendly but accurate, the other pace is not at all friendly and still accurate.

Coslett and Ant found their range, good running from Coslett in particular kept us moving and Ant was also finding scoring easier with a partner who makes him run. We were 60-3 at the turn, and 132 seemed a long way away still. Ant hit a couple of middled 4's before falling playing back, bowled, to a great ball from the Dobbler's skipper, Sam.

Brett joined Coslett for a spell and the scoring moved forward again. Those on the sidelines were all of the mind that this was over, as we were a long way behind the rate, especially when Coslett fell, caught. We then had free tickets to the Cob show as he got out his best broom and swept us back towards contention, with a 2, a 2, a 2 and an absolute pearler of a 3, all forward of square, all hit with the panache and aplomb that we are now used to. Brett was hitting his range here, but sadly Cob fell, one sweep too many (as if that is a thing!).

Out strolled Sap, us needing 30 odd from 3 with 1 wicket in the hutch, a nervous looking Harry, things surely over. Then it happened. Sap played a single dot and then just biffed them, a variety of styles, some elegant, some brutal, some hilarious - all for runs. He rode his luck and Brett was having a doozy, hitting glorious shots himself, but it just felt like Sap had eaten his ready brek, followed it up by Popeye's spinach and was going to bring it home. The final over saw Jacko back, Jags needing 9, and finely in the balance it was.

Brett skied one very near the bowler, but it wasn't snaffled so they ran a single. Dobblers then tried a run out, and it missed and sped to the boundary, so our chaps ran another. No Dobblers went after it, so our chaps ran a 3rd. All this, to a ball that Brett hit about 5 yards from himself.

A couple of singles followed, before our guys did the same trick to get 2, when one was pretty near to lots of Dobblers, but no one felt like going for it, so Sap and Brett strolled through for a second. Brett then finished things in fine style with a glorious 6.

Pub attendance was ace from both sides. Man of the Match contenders were likely Brett, Coslett and Sap - all good performances, but Coslett's elegant fielding, tight over and the fact he made Ant run are what took it for me. Although Sap had an absolutely spiffing game. Ant would probably have been in contention, were he not such a lazy bugger in the field.

Ensors toasted by Bread

Jags 184-2 (Brett 28*, Hopper 28*, Parrish 25*, Phillips 23*, Aniskowicz 1-12) beat Ensors 104-5 (Gus 33, Aniskowicz 30, Sap 2-26) by 80 runs

This week saw us back at the home of cricket where Ensors joined the Jags at Queens. Despite a promising forecast the game began with some ominous looking clouds above our heads as Parrish stepped out for the toss, which ended up being 'which hand is the blade of grass in' as it's 2021 and noone carries coins anymore. After (another) successful choice from the skip we elected to bat with Barker and Parrish opening things up.

The early bowling was tight and The Jags poundland cricket balls were hooping about in the wind making it tricky to get away. The openers opted for a tap and run strategy early on to keep scoring at around a run a ball. Both bowlers were replaced after 2 overs a-piece bringing on solid set of change bowlers. James was finding his rhythm and picked found his first boundary of the day. Sadly this ended up his last contribution, being bowled by the excellent spin of Ensors captain Aniskowicz. Parrish retired shortly after on 25 with just two boundaries and a lot of singles to his name.

Tommy Hopper joined Ant at the crease and begun to form a new partnership. Both bowlers were once again hooked after two and Ensors started to really embrace the spirit of inclusivity of midweek cricket bringing on two more fresh bowlers who perhaps had a little less experience. Ant got to business quickly hitting two powerful 4s but then got a Threadgold-esque leading edge that was caught by the bowler. If that wasn't bad enough he was left with a parting gift from the bowler who smirked at him and said 'Guess you're not as good as you thought you were' and blew him a kiss. Clearly Ant made quite the impression out in the middle and must have inadvertently been giving off arrogant vibes. Less flexing at the crease please Mr Brolia.

With a big thank you to the Ensors scorer this brought newly named Liam Bread to the crease. Pressure was on as his form with the bat has been a little stale but today he looked fresh and ready to go. Bread looked a little uneasy early on though with a couple of slices down the off side. Unlike your favourite poppy seed loaf though this bread got better with age and a few well hit 2s he was on a roll! 

Ensors continued their conveyor belt of bowlers, even switching out their keeper so he could have a go! Liam and Hopper negotiated a barrage of extras, finding enough balls straight enough to hit and both retired with consecutive boundaries. Bowling extroadinaire Phillips hit the crease with Harry Wilde who both continued to score at a high rate. Ensors ended up bowling 10 different bowlers in the end and Jags cruised to a (record breaking?) 184 for 2 after 20.

Off to the field and Will, our usual opener was isolating so couldn't do the honours this week so we went a totally different direction. It just didn't feel right opening Bread without Kingsmill...

Tyler and Hopper opened up and bowled very tightly. Naturally Tyler didn't meet his own high standards but impressed the opposition with his opening spell. Hopper got the first wicket (who else!?) to much applause and celebration from the Jags, aside from Liam who was seen pounding his fists into the ground in the outfield. 

We decided to try and match Ensors for total amount of bowlers so Hopper quickly made way for Sap bowled a very tidy first 11 balls of his spell before being smashed for a big 6. Barry Wilde joined the action with some masterful long hops luring the Ensors skipper into a false sense of security before bowling him with a peach. He was unlucky to be taken off but with the start of the Ensors players coming in without cricket gear we thought he might be a bit too good... Naturally Parrish and Phillips were the more appropriate combo for the situation.

Phillips graciously bowled them a load of rubbish and was hit beautifully for 6 by the new bat. This might have been stopped if it wasn't for Liam Bread's downright refusal to follow the captain's insturctions and get on the fence. Parrish (Gareth) managed to sneak in a couple of overs relatively unharmed whilst Phillips' yielded a lofty 22 from his 12 balls. 

The end of the innings saw Liam and Ant join the attack with some pretty attacking fields for T20. This actually prompted what was probably the best cricket moment of the day with Liam finding a genuine edge to second slip, caught by Parrish. James saw things out with a maiden giving the Jags 9 bowlers on the day so Ensors were worthy winners in the total bowlers category. Cob took back duties behind the stumps trading blows with Ant throughout the innings. Fortunately he wasn't hit in the head this week but he did take one on the helmet....sadly it was sitting on the floor at the time and cost 5 runs though.

At the end of the game both teams went off to the Red Bull, Jags the victors by 80 runs this week. Noone wanted to keep hold of the match ball, which had basically split in two by the end of 40 overs!

Bidwells Biff the Jags

Jags 133-6 (Threadgold 26*, Parrish 25*, Fardell 23, Coles 2-13) Lost to Bidwells 134-5 (Colesy 27*, Scott 26*, Jack 25*, Banks 25*, Will 2-6) by 5 wickets

This week saw us switch grounds to the lovely King and Selwyn to play Bidwells. Bidwells are a team that the Jags used to play, and lose to, most seasons, and after a hiatus we desired a return to the old familiar pattern. Pre-match "banter" was centered around the address of the ground. I wouldn't describe it as humourous. At all. The fact this qualifies as chat at all in 2021 demonstrates how low social standards have slipped during these extended and dark periods of isolation we've all suffered through COVID.

 

This is the address. Saying it over and over again does not qualify as acceptable chatter.

There was a monumental disaster before the game, with our hirusute Geordie, Cob, ruling himself out of proceedings owing to a hangover from watching England play Denmark in the football. Cob is very hardy, so he must have literally drunk all of the drinks.

How I imagine Cob's flat looked at about midday

 

Jags won the toss and Parrish and Fardell started proceedings. It was a tricky opening spell to start, partially as it was full on raining when we went out to bat. I had water droplets hanging from the visor of my extremely new helmet for most of my innings (having recently bought an entirely new load of kit in order, as I think my old kit is tainted or something). Parrish was off in the runs in typically rumbunctious style, flaying a few threes and fours for good measure. It hit a boundary from a rubbish half track pie - it's a 4 in the book so I'll take it. 

Energetic running between the wickets and good calling kept the scoreboard ticking over. Exactly what rate, I couldn't precisely tell you, as Ant was doing the scorebook, and in typical laid back style, he did bits of it, but not all of it. Matt retired without too much ado, he's on a mega streak for the Jags - 224 runs and out once... 

 

Barker kept me company for a bit and then a hilarious period of play that saw my demise. I gentle paddled a ball to the square boundary that somehow went for 6. I was called back to the pavilion as they had deemed I had reached 25 and it was time for retirement. My first of the season, hurrah. I got about half way back to the pavilion when I was sent back bat - as Ant's languid scoring approach meant I probably hadn't got 25. So I stroll back in, honestly angry as fuck that Ant and Phillips didn't manage to get a GCSE in maths between them. The immediate next ball was a full toss that hit me in the, "Gentlemanly Region". It took me quite some time to recover from this. Everyone laughed (as indeed would I), but my goodness it hurt, and hasn't been the correct colour since.Tommy H at umpire then mentioned he was thinking of giving me LBW for ball breaking delivery - but there hadn't been an appeal. All round bantz.

Barker hit an absolutely cracking 4 through the offside region, and we did some scurrying to keep the total ticking along, before I ran myself out pushing James for a non-existent single. I was at least grateful that I didn't run him out. Dan joined James for a bit and the score was 72-1-10 at this point. A really nice platform for a 150 plus total. Dan and James kept things moving mainly in singles at this point, before a not-so-well-judged second run - which for the record I think was there for the taking, saw Dan send James back - with no hope of him actually getting back.

Ant strolled out to join Dan and we then hit that fallow late afternoon period of day 3 of the test match. Ant and Dan put on a nice display of blocking and not running for about 4 overs, which saw 14 runs scored in just under 5 overs. Ant was eventually bowled, a rather tasty ball from Mr Brown of Histon 1st XI fame, and Cozzy joined proceedings. Dan and Cozzy stepped things up here, Dan hitting a couple of lovely 4's down the ground and Cozzy hitting some lovely fours to the square leg boundary. Threadgold retired with this late flurry of biffing, an innings of two halves, it must be said.

Hopper was out for a bit, not many balls to go so had to swing a bit, got a few runs and was bowled pretty quickly. Phillips did a similar trick, out for a bit and then bowled quickly. James' Dad had kindly volunteered to replace Cob after a mix up in his own scheduled game. He also didn't manage to trouble the scorers and the Jags innings was in danger of finishing with a whimper, before Cozzy and Will got us home with some late late runs - Will hitting a lovely 2 and then an absolutely gorgeous 6 over wide long on. 133 felt short of par this week, particularly as it had stopped raining and Bidwells had lots of chaps who looked like they knew which end of the bat to hold.

 

It was either a case of take wickets, or keep the scoring low. We went with the latter. Will and Tyler opening the bowling. Will began with a maiden and Tyler was bowling some lovely tight lines, making scoring really quite difficult. Tyler only went for 4 an over in his 4 over spell, which is quite something in this evening 20/20 games. Will bowled one in his second over with a jaffa, and the other was run out by a phenomenal piece of fielding from Mr Threadgold, picking up at mid off, taking aim and direct hit splattering the stumps. Skipper, Parrish, taking duties behind the stumps.

 

Will stepped out of the attack, ready to return later on, and Phillips came in. At this point Bidwells had scored about 30 odd runs from almost 8 overs and were being strangled by good bowling, and generally decent fielding. The wheels were soon to come off the bus though. Phillips did a bit of bowling, insisting to all who would listen that his variation in balls was not absolutely random, but very deliberate and controlled. He was spanked about a bit for a few 4's, mainly from his shorter balls and was a touch on the pricey side, it must be said. Hopper joined him at the other end, and was given a bit of the long handle treatment as well, as both Bidwells batsmen found their stride.

 

At 10 overs, they had put on 55, and it felt like the game was in the balance. Unfortunately, this was the point at which we all decided to forget how to field. Some loose pickups in the field, a terrible throw from yours truly, and not enough pressure on the singles, allowed Bidwells to accelerate the scoring quite spectacularly at this point. One rocket went towards Ant at short mid off, catchable, but it would have been a good catch. Ant was clearly worried about the expensive dental work that would have followed had he been hit in the globe, so pulled himself completely out of the way.

Two retirees came and went, runs flowed and the next two were into their stride quickly. Ant came in to bowl and produced an absolute joyous yorker with one that was only just kept out by the bat. Hopper got a nicely bowled one with his third over. One of the two batsmen retired bringing in a bit of a bunny to the crease. Ant thought about bowling outside off to keep him in and give us a chance... but he also thought about his average, and decided to take the top of off instead.

Will and Dan were then in tandem, with 5 overs to go 103 runs on the board. Will did a similar thing to Ant, looking at a bunny, he tried to bowl outside off, but was just too straight, and castled him. At the other end, things got very bad in a hurry - as the Bidwells skipper looked at Dan running in to bowl and decided that it was walloping time, hitting him for 2,4, dot, 4, and finishing with a monster 6 over long off.

At the end it was left to one seasoned Bidwells battler, Walter to partner a less experienced colleague in a not-as-tense-as-it-looked chase, with Bidwells home and hosed with 2 overs to spare.

I've not put too much detailed commentary in here, but our fielding was pretty shambolic for periods of this game. Ah well, onwards and upwards. Ensors up next.

Postscript - It turns out that Bidwells actually fielded with 12 players for their entire innings without anyone noticing. So, technically, we could call this a win - were we a petty bunch.

Done and Dusted - Deloitte Fall at Queens

 Jags 131-6 (Brolia 28*, Hopper 28*, Parrish 27*, Clarke 2-22) beat Deloitte 123-7 (Baker 17*, Walker 15*, Doyle 15, Tyler 2-13, Philips 2-22) by 8 runs

Spoiler alert, we didn't draw this one. 

The Jags have been playing Deloitte since our first season in 2011. Jagex - our alma mater, used to use Deloitte as one of our accounting firms, so they treated us to a lovely game of cricket once a year, some M and S sandwiches and snacks and the occasional adult beverage. It has always been a fun fixture, and this one was played at Queens. 

I love Queens - it's just such a wonderful place to play cricket, just walking to the side of the pitch feels like we're digging for victory during the Blitz and seeing off Jerry at the same time.

You had me at M and S club sandwich

Jags won the toss (well fucking done, skip) and decided to bat first. Parrish and and Barker started things going. It was another week of contrasting opening bowlers, with one medium and accurate and the other left arm over loopy and slow. More on this anon. Both were quickly into their strides, with Parrish hitting a couple of lovely on side drive/pull shots. Barker managed to take one opener on early, hitting him straight back over his head to both sides for some nice scoring shots. Jags started, as we do, quickly and with purpose.

Barker looked well set, but was deceived by a slower ball and chipped it high into the air, where it was well snaffled. Fardell strolled to the crease, watched a wide past his leg stump then was pinned LBW to the slowest most depressing and un-threatening ball I think I've ever got out to (left arm loopy and slow). The less said the better. Hopper had been elevated to the lofty heights of 4 and quickly joined Matt in keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Deloitte had plenty of bowling, various in types, but pretty consistently good it must be said. 

Parrish almost fell to backward square hoicking high, but the fielder quite clearly did not fancy it at all and let it fall to ground. Hopper, fresh from his run out last week, decided that vocal communication with his batting partner was the order of the day. Parrish retired - did you ever doubt I would be saying that - and Hopper was extremely briefly partnered by Coslett. Coslett sadly hit his own stumps and had to stroll off. The less said of this the better. 

Brolia and Hopper then set about it. I recall some good running from Hopper, some good shot making from Ant to the leg side, and a nice partnership feel to proceedings. It was a crucial phase as, after a good start, the Jags had lost a couple of wickets in short order and slowed a bit, so pushing on was really important to set a good total. Ant hit one checked drive that I quite liked, and Hopper finished with 2,6,4 - absolutely spanking the leather from one to make absolutely sure he retired. 

Cob joined proceedings briefly. He looked as hungover as a man could look. His first shot, a sweep.... missed the ball and he was bowled. The less said about this the better. Phillips hustled for a bit, Ant retired from a well crafted innings, and then Will walked in - absolutely spanked one to deep square leg, and was caught. 4 lovely ducks in this innings, Jags. A few batsmen have some questions to answer. Also, Will always seems to get out hitting a glorious massive shot that is somehow magnetically attracted to a fielder deep on the boundary.

Sap kept Phillips company for a bit - but Phillips then did the wrong thing, he hit an on drive really well to long on. The fielder caught it nicely and was then heard to exclaim to his assembled team mates, "that's my first ever catch in cricket". Phillips, you managed to pop someone's cherry... you dirty dog.

Sap was joined by Tyler for the last few overs, and they both did really well. Strong bowling was on display, but good running, nice shot placement, and a gorgeous drive from Tyler helped us get to a a modest but defendable 131.

Jags had three options for keeper tonight. Cob was too hungover to do it. Phillips is just so so so annoying behind the stumps. So Parrish took the gloves, prepping for his game at the weekend for the 2's. Yeah, whatever skip.

The Jags bowling started well, Will was his normal high and mighty self from one end, but Tyler was really on it tonight. His first over only went for two, and his constant energy and pressure paid off well. The second over was really quite a doozy, venom and aggression on full display and it got the wicket it deserved, a batsman trying to release the shackles hoicked it high into the air. Sap settled and held on really well. Nice early breakthrough. 

Will somehow went wicket-less through this period, but his bowling was mostly very good, with the occasional piece of rank filth thrown in for good measure. Fielding quality was also very high tonight. Tyler carried on with direct aggression and was further rewarded with one of the two best wickets tonight, bowled with an absolutely gorgeous full length yorker, full of intent, absolutely destroying off stump.

Then we had a moment to savour for the ages. Will bowled, the batsman hit it to mid on, and Barker mis-fielded. Ant ran... no fuck that... he sprinted, to cover for his team mate. Like quickly and stuff. It was like, what... who the fuck are you dude?!

Deloitte were really struggling to score here: the bowling was good, the fielding was good (including Ant), and some of the banter was ok. It was a rare evening for the Jags. 

Will and Tyler had to step out of the attack as they had bowled the allotted amount. Ant stepped in and his bowling was, erm... the first over was crap. Only some generous umpiring meant he went for 6 in the book. Sap bowled nicely for an opening spell, seeing one caught taking him on. At the other end Ant tightened his lines second over and a full dipping fast yorker saw off one batsman. It was really quite a ball; I have no idea how you play a ball like that.

Jags were well ahead here, so we had the fun times. Phillips in to bowl. He is normally a keeper; something of a loudmouth. His bowling was actually pretty solid. He bowled 5 decent balls in his first over, but he got a wicket with the 6th, and oh my god it was absolute filth. Half track, if that, no bounce, batsmen tried to score and Will took it nicely. We all still think he's a plonker though, and it was a wicket not to celebrate.

Sap had bowled well, and got another wicket with an edged behind, well taken by the skipper, and I must say generously conceded by the batsman. The other things to note at this point were some fine fielding, some good banter (one batsman had squeaky pads and WD40 suddenly became funny chat), and some brilliant boundary riding by Tyler, who has an arm on him, mark my words. Most of the banter was directed at Phillips though, including some by himself to himself.

Barker came in to take over from Sap, and bowled some nice lines. Tommy Hopper didn't field everything perfectly, but mostly otherwise, this was nice and solid. I managed to Matrix swerve some balls hit at me in the interests of saving my good looks, but it didn't matter at this point as Deloitte were well short coming to the final over.

A nice game, pleasant evening, too many ducks, but some cracking bowling and fielding from Tyler, some excellent batting from Matt, Tommy and Ant and a, dare I say, disciplined performance, saw us home.

Pub attendance was Jags only, although we were luckily joined by the irrepressible Steve Mann.

Ant is busy...