Oh hell more cricket

Guildhall Chambers

Well at last it appears that summer might be coming to England and another day was set fine for another cricket bash (shurely match? – ed).

For a change only 3 ringers were needed this week to get a team out with Sidoli coming back for more and Lacey making his debut.

As is to be expected of a team of barristers they were late turning up so were invited to bat first whilst the rest of the team turned up and despite confident pre-match predictions that they would be easily turned over proved to be stubborn opposition.

Webb and McEvoy opened the bowling and with Webb struggling up the hill and McEvoy just struggling the early breakthrough just would not come. Burton replaced McEvoy in an act of mercy and when he got a finger on a straight drive that clattered into the stumps running out the non-striker the breakthrough was gained.

Still they refused to buckle and Ringer A replaced Webb and kept things tight before Earl and Williams combined to claim a run out.

With Williams appealing as usual for any stumping chances (and as usual sulking when they weren’t given) things were kept lively before Earl and Ringer B combined.

Earl managed 2 good balls in amongst the utter dross and with Ringer C snaffling a catch at slip and with the opener retiring on 26 the ends were open. Ringer B proved to be an inspired recruit (thanks Lacey) with a first ball head high beamer (which hit) the opposition realised they were in a game. 2 wickets in his second over looked good but the hat-trick in his last over (the last one of the three being the returning opener) was fantastic.

Meanwhile Lacey was taking some lower order punishment and Ringer C had a bowl at their young lad. He claimed that he was bowling at a reduced pace for the kid but in your correspondent’s judgement it was the usual pace (and still not a danger to the kid).

A target of 120 looked gettable and with a powerful middle-order a slow start was never going to be a problem.

Burton and Williams duly delivered that slow start before Burton fell to a brilliant catch in the gully and Williams continued his horrible trot of form thanks to a shocker of a decision by the umpire.

Ringer B and Lacey then set about the bowling both retiring without scares. Earl continued his fine form with some very lusty blows and with Ringer A and Webb terrified to get out to the young lad playing circumspectly (although Pestell was happy enough to no-ball the poor kid) the runs were in the end reached with 3.2 overs to spare. Webb’s 6 first ball will live long in the memory.

An even better barbeque than the week before followed (some fine condiment selections contributing) after which the man of the match committee met to consider their decision.

A real challenge this week with 3 batsman reaching 25 but ultimately the decision could only go one way with Lacey named as the man of the match for his personal 25 and for inviting Ringer B (who delivered 25 and a 5 for).