Firsts Second After Winning Draw

The Fortress saw another solid performance from the Firsts against Kirkby Portland.

We missed Golden Graham, The Butcher and Dale, but the Ibiza boys were back in town. As so often happens, a big Friday night on the lash concentrated minds.

DJ Sammy and Vat Man Ladd made a safe and steady start putting on nearly 50 before Sammy left to concentrate on teas. Laddy reached before 50 before correctly judging this was around his 20% for the day.

Tinno, in need of a big score, looked serene and we were well placed at 100-2 off 30 overs. Ted Vegas was more swashbuckling, finding his trademark flick of the legs in good order. Kirkby's pie chucker put the brakes on a bit and Tinpot was out for 21 to a Gilchrist slog. Rendu struck the ball sweetly but as ever found the fielders, but made a pedigree 30.

Ted was finally out of luck and breath for 52, but not before a showboating, bat-kissing clip over mid wicket from a yard outside off. The cavalry arrived. Meeky's batting order merry-go-round landed at the 6 jacket, and he upped the rate with 2 sixes in a quick fire 23. Baker was the recipient of a dreadful drop, but could only make 3.

It was left to Jean Claude Van Dessy to reach double figures for the season with a beautiful dab through gully, and a Lara-esque pull over square leg. Tuckers blocked out the last over to get us to a very respectable 233-7 at tea.

Tea by Mrs Bradley was a beaut. The highlight was split between the chocolate fruit fondue and basmati meatballs.

Skipper Gillespie came steaming in down the hill and quickly found the edge, Laddy plucking the cherry. Meeky then gained a plum LBW. Rocket responded with an amazing run out deflecting the ball on his follow through. A couple more wickets and we were on to top at 40-5.

An opposition rearguard saw one chap score a decent 80, but once he'd gone the tail end Charlies showed no interest in the game. However hard we tried we couldn't get a breakthrough. Kirkby limped to 162-8, Rocket taking 4 wickets, Bobby and Meeky 2 each.

A winning draw and 17 points sees us jump up to 2nd in the table.

M.O.M. Rocket
M.O.M In Running: Bobby 2, Golden 2, Laddy 1, Meeky 1, Rendu 2