Comfortable performance from the Sunday XI v Mynthurst

Buoyed by the absence of their normal team captain, Billy 'The Burrito' Saunders, everyone arrived at Mynthurst in the highest of spirits. Upon my own arrival, it was good to see Smithy had arrived sober, a shock to us all, and the rounded figure of Dig Dave Bowen was already out on the wicket with the opposition captain, readying himself for the toss. It might sound like I was late. On the contrary, BDB is just a very eager tosser apparently. It didn't stop him losing, however, and SNCC were asked to field in conditions not too dissimilar to those of Billy's homeland, Mexico.

Kyle '1st XI' Campbell and Gibbo took the new ball. Both bowled tightly, hooping the ball in either direction before Kyle removed the opener with the faintest of touches through to Jim. A good opening spell from each bleeding very few runs against a Mynthurst happy to sit back and just nudge 2 or 3 an over.

Robin and Dylan came on to replace the openers. Dylan bowled significantly better than he did for the 2s the day before, saving his best bowling for the more important Sunday game. Robin always looked dangerous at the other end, except the 26,000 times he had to abort his run-up, and deservedly took the wicket of their number 3, who looked decent, clean bowling him. Again, these two kept it tight, Dylan only conceding 7 runs from his 4 overs.

The next pair was The Tooth and DBDB himself. BDB's first ball of his spell was the highlight of the match. He sent down a full toss to their no 1 bat who proceeded to thump it in the direction of Lewy fielding at Mid Wicket. Lewy didn't have to move. It came straight at him at a very comfortable height and we were all certain of wicket number 3. Lewy, however, had other plans. He dropped the first chance and as it was just about to hit the ground, a keepy uppy style volley from his right boot and still no movement whatsoever from his upper buddy, saw him chip it back up perfectly into his hands for an incredible grab. I've never seen anything like it.

After that, BDB and the Tooth were milked quite nicely by the Mynthurst batsmen who desperately needed to increase the scoring rate to make a game it. A steady 6 or 7 runs an over were taken thereafter with no further wickets.

A brief 3 over spell from myself which went for 8 runs, was then followed by another excellent over from Kyle, returning well to take another wicket, then another tight over from Robin before Smithy finished up the innings nicely taking 2 wickets in a row in his only over.

At tea then, SNCC needed 145 to win and it was chased down in some style.

Lewy departed early, a rare one this season for Lewy, who has been prolific on Sundays. That brought 'Superior' Wigley in to join Smithy at the crease. Both smashed the ball around all over the place achieving a run rate of around 12 an over!! Both retired on 50-odd not out off not very many balls. Well batted both on a wicket that was rather variable in bounce.

In came Jim who then swatted a quick 13 runs before shouldering arms to one that hit half-way up middle. That left Dylan and DBD at the crease with 4 runs remaining. Dylan was stranded at the non-striker's end, so BDB was facing the opener bowler who had come back on to try and take wickets. Cometh the man, cometh the hour......DBD smashing the ball through cow for a 4 off his one and only ball faced.

As usual, it was thoroughly enjoyable to play in a cracking Sunday XI against a very friendly Mythurst side. Well played all at SNCC and let's hope Billy decides to extend his holiday.