The groundsman for Basford who must be having trials to prepare the pitch for Wembley stadium produced the greenest pitch you will ever see.
As Nick Proverbs lost the toss he didn't have to wait to see what the skipper would decide to do and started padding up.

Nick and Saahd Sheikh opened the innings for Thrumpton. Saahd's eyes lit up when he saw R Johnson bowling at him with his slow off spin but his experience showed with his line and length and he had Saahd (1) caught when he tried a big heave ho. Shiraz Kayani came to the crease on the back on some good scores and both he and Nick both struggled with Johnsons line and length and had to just defend against him and hope for the odd bad ball.

Shiraz (14) ran out of patience and was bowled by Johnson, Samir Ahmed also struggled with the green pitch and was caught behind for 1 off Johnson again who was causing all sorts of problems. Matt Piggott came to the crease with Thrumpton struggling on 45-3 off 21 overs but he and Nick saw off Johnson who finished with 3 wickets for 6 runs off 12 overs.

Nick prodded away at one end and Matt started to up the run rate with some good shots and some good running between the wickets. Nick then ran himself out trying to run 4 and with Matt sending him back was run out for 50. Thrumpton were now on 118-4 with 6 overs to go Fahad Raza (8), Naren Pandurangan (6*) added some valuable runs and Thrumpton ending with 147-7 off 45 overs Matt out for 41.

With no tea coming close to the Thrumpton teas the boys were out early to warm up. With the skipper behind the stumps Thrumpton opened with Andy Hussain and Ben Jones who bowled both great line and length and in the end pressure told with the opener spooning a catch to Luke Mason at square leg for Ben to claim his 1st wicket.

Andy was then rewarded for his tight bowling having the other opener caught by Naren. Basford now 11-2. Enter Adrian Cooper who batted very well last time and again he was proving tough to get out, so Thrumpton concentrated on the others. Andy bowled another batsmen and then having had H Saunderson caught behind by Nick. 47-4 but with Cooper still batting it wasn't over.

Nick turned to spin and brought on Samir and Shiraz. Samir bowled a very tight line not offering anything whilst Shiraz made another breakthrough with another catch behind for Nick. Shiraz then got other wicket with S Harvey been bowled after it hit both pads then finally the stumps. 75-6 surely it was all over??

Enter the skipper W Simpson for Basford who started to get some quick fire runs, Thrumpton thought they had him out for a stumping but Nick got too excited and stumped him even though the ball hadn't come past the stumps (pesky 5 mph balls) Simpson was then dropped and panic crept in when he smashed a huge 6.

Matt Piggott came onto bowl and this proved a great decision as he removed Simpson and then got another wicket. Thrumpton were now wanting full bowling points but Cooper blocked out the final over to ensure Basford finished on 119-7.

Another solid performance by the badger boys who entertain Attenborough 3rds next week.

Performances:

Nick Proverbs 50
Matt Piggott 41 + 2-6
Andy Hussain 3-25 off 12 overs
Samir Ahmed 0-18 off 12 overs

Thanks to Steve Pick for scoring.

PS If anyone would umpire for the 2nds it would be highly appreciated. Any help would be great. Even 1 innings