Tonights game was an opportunity for revenge against our friendly rivals who were the only team played to date who had denied us victory this season. On a lovely summers evening at Stapleton Cricket Club, Jo Smith continued with his success of winning the toss and opted to field first and chase down the total with the assistance of the very short straight boundaries.

Some tidy bowling from Anth Barrett and Stu Adams including the usual legside 6 resulted in the early wicket of their dangerous opener with a good catch from Tom Lambshead in the deep. The innings was rebuilt, with some tidy mid innings bowling from Jimmy Osmond, Paul Ashford and Jo Smith, including a wicket for Ashford with his first ball of the summer which pitched at least a foot outside leg stump and somehow deflected onto the batsmans leg stump via his pads and boots!. Tidy fielding including two run outs despite a few drops, Niko Zographou, Jo Smith, Jimmy Osmond - not to be shamed! supported the bowling well. The quicker bowlers Jon Smith and Will Thomas finished off the innings with accuracy and pace resulting in further wickets. We were very confident of chasing down an under par score of 118 with our current form.

A new opening partnership of Ash Fillingham and Tom Lambshead got off us to a flyer with Ash riding his luck with a couple of sneaky edges but then got going for a quick fire 33 in a opening stand of 42. After a quick fire 11 from Pete Trahar including another great six and a golden duck from Niko, Lambshead took control and knocked up his highest ever score by smashing a straight 6 to bring up his 50 before retiring. It was left to Adams and Ashford to win the game with Ashford hitting another straight 6 with over 5 and half overs to spare.

A professional performance completed the most comprehensive victory over Fishponds in the last few years and ensured an enjoyable pint or two whilst tucking into the best buffet spread of the season! Bring on the YMCA on Thursday…..