B&LCC 4th XI:
137 all out off 28.5 overs
Craig O'Hare 69, Chibuda Takudzwa, 23, Avitej Singh 17
4ths were home again yesterday, against local side Wormelow. A few new faces in the team this week, Pradeep on debut for the 4ths and making another dad and lad pairing this season (love to see it) more on that later. Craig O'Hare was playing down his cricket capabilities before the start of play (more on this later), and Emmie-Lou a welcome addition to our fourth team.

Right then, David won the toss again, and rightfully choosing to bowl first, Avi and Callum starting us off and Wormelow were on the front foot from the start, their opening bat scored 43 from 38 balls with 10 4's. However Avi kept it very tight again, taking our first scalp, at 38 for 1. The ball did keep finding the boundary at regular occasions, and the score was ticking along. Our second wicket came along courtesy of Craig. Now, I don't know what I was expecting of Craig having never seen him play before and rumors had been circulating that he could play a bit. He bowled very well and took our second wicket of the day clean bowling batsman number 3. He also proceeded to take another 4 wickets in his 8 overs going for just 22 runs, and his day was not over yet.......

Anyway, we kept on running in, Emmie-Lou bowling 7 tight overs and grabbing a wicket, dismissing the opening batter who had spraying the ball to all parts for 43. Things were looking ok, well for a few minutes they were, out strode batter number 5, who went on to score 89 off 76 balls, with 18 fours. and he was the difference really, taking the game seemingly away from our reach. Our other wicket taker of the day was Freddie, who as always kept on plugging away and got his reward after a smart high catch from David. So we were set 250 to win from 40.........

Bearing in mind our highest total this season was 137, I guess you could say it was looking unlikely. However, up stepped Craig and Calvin to open the batting. It could only be described as carnage as to what they inflicted on Woremlow in those first 5 overs, Craig and Calvin smashed the ball to all parts, with the wicket of Calvin falling at 58 having scored a quickfire 23 of 20 . Woremlow couldn't believe what was happening. Avi joined Craig andthe carnage from Craig continued until we lost Craig with the score at 100 for 2. Craig had scored 69 from 47 balls, with 6 fours, and 5 sixes, it was brilliant to watch.

After Craig left the field, we had a bit of a collapse, the next 3 wickets falling in quick succession. Pradeep being one these, having walked out to bat with son Avi, optimistic and full of hope, mmm, didn't last long unfortunately as their spinner who took 5 for 17 off 6.5 overs was causing everyone problems, removed Pradeep cleaned bowled second ball.......... I wonder what was discussed between Dad and son on the journey home... Avi himself was eventually out having made 17. The rest of the team hung around a little without troubling the score too much, but we had gone from 100 for 2 to all out equaling our highest score this season of 137.

Man of the match was clearly and by some distance Craig O'Hare. He said he will play for the 4ths all season, before any of the other skippers think otherwise, think I have it in writing somewhere so there will be a transfer fee involved if they think otherwise...........

See you next week

Phil