Premier League - 2nd XI (A) v Didsbury CC , Saturday 12 July 2014

The beautiful Didsbury ground looked splendid in the summer sun as Keggy steered the troops in through the gate. The ground is much improved and is nowadays one of the places to look forward to playing; they're a decent bunch too. Team changes (as usual) meant a re-structure for the skipper to manage. It's not often a second eleven skipper can call on 2 ex-Cheshire players both of whom had successfully captained the first eleven in recent years. With Ryen's secret formula about to kick in and the rain imminent - it always is in Mancheter - the chaps took the field having lost the toss. The most welcome sight for all involverd was the tall figure of Mike 'Smokey' Robinson taking to the field in a CBHCC hat and looking keen to impress. Ryen struck with a plumb LBW to remove burns, Keggy got rid of their number three and then Atko removed Stoney. Things were looking good especially as the other opener was on a personal crusade to bat for more overs than he could score runs - he manged 34 overs in the end and scored around the same. Shane came on and used his flight and guile and while Dan and Seamus 'discussed' the placing of the fielders, Didsbury eventually managed 178 all out. Shane outstanding - 6 for 50 and Atko quite puffed out and pleased that every fielder had given his all to the cause. Jonty still didn't know that he was in Manchester.

Tea was significantly spicier than usual, perhaps a cunning ploy or maybe a tea lady with good cooking skills...who knows. Delicious all the same although without a cake selection to match CBH in recent weeks. Seamus and Bobby opened up. Bobby gone to a waft. Jonty gone next ball to a block which went to cover. Dumba in. No hat-trick. Reliability has been the key to the success of Adam this year; he's batted brilliantly and with he and Seamus 'just batting' things looked good. Stoney on. Seamus sweep. Seamus out. Mike in. Mike hasn't played for over a year (a shame in itself) but you couldn't tell. Watchful in defence and powerful in attack he and Dumba pushed the score on past 100. Then it rained and the leggie came on. Wickets! Mike out for 25, Dan for 3. Then it rained and we waited and got nervous. Seamus' plea with Ryen for 15 was met with '15 what?!' DOTD sorted. Then Ryen out after the rain break. At this point and with Dumba still in it still looked possible but when Atko ran out Dumba, things looked bleak. Keggy a breezy 25 and then another run out. Game over. Much silence. Buffalo for Adam and his drink necked. SPirits raised in readiness for the ride home. A memorable day if not a memorable result. Much to build on and with a good run of wins over the coming weeks, who knows. Great to have Mike back too; class act