Legge's X1 Leave It Late

(Back) Liam, Adonis, DJ Spence, Laddy, Drurs, Meeky,

(Front) Potty, Drunken, Boss Hogg, Cowlard, Eames

A fantastic day of weather was matched by a thrilling last ball finish, as Leggy's Sunday Strollers got off the mark away at the beautiful Colston Bassett ground.

Skipper Leggy was offered the choice of whether to bat or bowl: "I'll have a bat" he declared, and strode off to open the batting himself. Sadly a second ball edge saw him quickly striding back to the pavilion a second time. Duncan Disorderly was unlucky to fall soon after to a brilliant catch. Cowlard was next to go and at 10-3 we were in a mess. DJ Vespa decided to hit his way out of the crisis with an entertaining 20 before an awful cross batted slog at the spinner.

An hour of watching Drurs navigate the ship to safe waters wasn't high on the large travelling support's agenda, but erecting all manner of tents and cooking equipment helped minds wander from the game. Liam and Drurs steadily built an excellent partnership of 75 to see us to 100. However Leggy had seen enough proper batting for one day and triggered Drurs for 44. Meeky was then bowled on the second bounce and the innings looked to be tailing away. Liam pushed on though and was finally out for a cultured career best 37, returning to a sitting ovation from his mother. In the nick of time Potty arrived from shelf stacking duties to go in at no.11. This allowed birthday boy Laddy to smite four boundaries to take us to 152 off our 40 overs.

Lemon drizzle cake was the highlight of tea.

"Bowl like Harmy" encouraged Leggy to DJ Spence with the new cherry in his hand. Sadly Tony took this too literally with the first ball landing at second slip's feet. This was a minor blip though as Tone took the first wicket. Others followed at regular intervals with good spells from Meeky, Adrian and JB as the home side slipped to 30-5, with Duncan overcoming the yips to take his first career wicket. Laddy delivered another hint to the watching selectors taking 1-5 off his 3 overs, Cowlard taking an incredible one handed catch off a wide. Fortunately the selectors were more concerned watching their burgers turning black on the BBQ.

Well on top Leggy realised he could risk bowling Drurs and himself and this ensured the score rattled along for a good half an hour. Things weren't helped by the distractions from the visiting support looking like an episode of Phoenix Nights. Rocket was entertaining the children with a blow up Sammy Snake while the local fire brigade were on red alert with Bobby creating clouds of smoke from the BBQ. Laddy was the most distracted, snaffling kebabs into his pockets rather than lofted hits into the deep.

A fine partnership from skipper Rainsford and Bradbury made for a nail biting finish, 5 needed off the last over. Could JB handle the pressure? A lofted slog from Barrie was plucked from the air by Potty and then Leggy swallowed another skier into his midrift. 2 need off the last ball and it was appropriate that Laddy took a the winning catch on his birthday. With three wickets in an amazing last owner JB finished with 4-23.

Many thanks to the Colston Bassett side for their hospitality for what was hopefully the first of many tight tussles.