Firsts Leave Kimberley Bitter

The Firsts were thumped away at Kimberley in a game made fractious by the weather.

All manner of selection worries beforehand. DJ Sammy had been dropped by the peleton so missed his ferry, so a debut was handed to 12 year old Tom 'Alfie' Hitchcock.

Rocket won a good toss, chose to field, and bowled a great first over on a green pitch, making an early breakthrough. We bowled a bit too short after that and Rocket spilled a sharp c&b. We didn't get another wicket until Dangerous Dave Hiller turned over his golden arm with another first over wicket.

Kimberley's no.4 was a fair bat, but clearly felt it beneath himself to be asked to play against a village outfit. Drurs could have put him out of his misery but dropped a sitter at mid off. At 80-2 we were under pressure.

Then Nelly joined the attack. Clearly he'd had a few looseners on his travels as he was back in the groove straight away, bowling a great spell, winning a series of mini battles with the middle order. Happy no.4 skulked off bowled without playing a shot, Laddy took a low slip catch, and Ted juggled a nick behind. In between times, Benji took a great diving catch off Hiller.

A late flourish took the home side to 180-9 off tea. Rob finished with magic figures of 5-32.

Tea was a dry effort, condiments still under wartime ration. The highlight was the arrival of Dessy.

The Postie continued to stutter, bowled for a golden. Drurs and Laddy spudded around for an over or two before the rain arrived. The game then turned on its head. We weren't keen to go back out as the wet outfield meant we were chasing about 250 and heads were down.

Drurs was bowled, Ted was on the wrong end of a shall we/shan't we call from Rocket, and Laddy walked to a plum LBW. Nelly and Meeky hoofed a few lofty blows but couldn't push on.

We eventually limped to just 98 all out. A meagre four points drops us down to 3rd.

MOM: Rob Baker
MOM in Running: Nelly 4, Golden 3, Meeky 2, Rendu 2, Laddy 1,