Calne travelled down to Bathford with a mixed team of experience and youth (i.e over 40 and under 16!!). With 3 debutantes and a couple of players called up into the first team skipper Charlie won the toss he wanted to lose!! Bowling first on a pretty decent looking track he let Shane and newcomer DJ set about the opposing batsmen and boy they did a good job. Shane started well but it took a wide full toss to get the first wicket with Tom Powell on debut taking a stunning catch at cover. DJ wasn't going to settle for second best and aided by a tumbling catch from Darren we had Bathford reeling at 10-2. Not wanting to let up DJ continued with his line and length and helped by some excellent fielding he picked up 2 more wickets in 2 balls to finish up on impressive figures of 3-9 (Eadesy he is coming to get you!) Leo and Darren came on first change with their own mix of spin, guile and grenades.. Both caused problems and picked up 2 wickets each, a special note to Gary Baker with two fine catches in the slips. Bathford finished on 82 all out, a great effort all round in the field.
After a very chilled tea, Charlie and Rich set about the Bathford bowling with a fine display of all round the wicket batting. Rich showing he is capable of an elegant off drive and Charlie feasting on anything wayward including a massive six (the floodlight pole is still shaking now!). At 74 for no wicket it looked like maximum points but a bit of cockiness set in and Charlie was triggered for 35 and 3 balls later Rich was caught behind!! Debutant Ronnie came in (and went) with an unfortunate golden duck (it would have been on the railway if he connected!) The wise old heads of Gary Baker and Henry Lee stopped the mild rot and knocked the final 8 over off with ease.
Whilst an early finish it was a good game against a decent bunch and the beer as always tasted good after. Special mentions for DJ (Dayne) who solved the lack of bowling issue, Tom for some excellent fielding but also a quiet but vastly improved performance by Jodie behind the stumps..
Roll on Chippenham next week.