Dismal Didsbury

Didsbury away is always wet, cold and gloomy so it was a pleasant surprise to arrive and find it dry despite the gloom and chilly winds. Jack McGovern, Dave Fisher, Alex Towned, Dave Atkin and Matt Griffiths back. Griff won the toss and chose to bowl on what looked a good pitch. Atko opened with Wiggy, the former bowling with great control of line and length. Indeed it was Atko who took the first wicket caught behind by Joe Killer to get things going. Wiggy replaced by Dave Fisher to try and stop the flow of runs. Another Atko wicket but boundaries were coming freely as the Didsbury batters were intent on cutting everything, even off middle stump. A short boundary on one side was found with some regularity so after drinks, the skipper and Charlie Fleet took over. Riley removed the dangerous Sabbaz Qasim caught by Joe and the wickets began to tick down but dot balls were followed by four balls too regularly. Charlie toiled hard and bowled good lines. Jack Mcgovern was excellent in the outfield which was terrible to field on: a dry lacrosse pitch effectively and a number of balls evaded capture or sprang up and hit fielders. Some good catches from Fisher and Atkin accounted for another two for Riley who finished with 5 for 60 from 12. Charlie wicketless despite his good bowling. The last over went for 20 to push the score to 237.

Tea. What a tea! Pie, mash, peas and gravy. Not your healthy wholesome fruit and past favoured by some but after fifty overs in the cold, more than welcome. Joe Killer managed to polish off 4 pies...some effort.

Treen and Griff opened. Treen and Griff perished quickly. 6 for 2. Ian Metcalf and George in. Once more George played his shots with ease but soon he and Ian were back in the hutch. 50 for 4 and staring down the barrel of defeat. Joe and Jack had other ideas. Both punished anything wayward and ran aggressively. The score picked up and went past 100 with spinners on from both ends. Jack out for 29: a promising league debut. Joe continued to pull and drive powerfully and when Wiggy holed out cheaply, it was Dan Riley who joined Joe. Some solid cuts and drives from the skipper and a six over the road before being given out caught behind having missed the ball and hit the pad. No reviews left. All was not lost as Fishy joined Joe and found the fence too as Joe went to an excellent 50. Fishy out and Atko in but then Killer was bowled. 212 the score. One wicket left but no thought of blocking. Unluckily, Charlie flicked one off his legs to be caught on the juggle. A second loss but lots of positives. Joe Killoran's performance in particular with bat and gloves excellent.

MotM - Joe Killoran. Keeping, batting and pie eating.
DotD - Charlie Fleet. As he released a ball he shouted "Heebie, Jeebies"...we don't know why either.