Wyre v Fleetwood III - Wyre frustrated as top order misfires again.

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Fleetwood were treated to another glorious Cottam pitch as the firsts approached their fourth match still looking for a win. Chatter was strong before the game that Fleetwood had been bowled out for 38 the week previous, finally a team performing worse than us….we thought.

With a full team present at 13.30 this week, Jimmy lost the toss and we were put into bat yet again. Not to worry we thought, a rejig of the order and the inclusion of Polly and Carter after sterling performances in the 2nds, we looked like a strong outfit. Tim and Jon H headed out looking to make a strong opening stand but unfortunately Jon mistimed his second ball and quickly returned. Kenny headed in hoping to settle in and produce the kind of innings the firsts so desperately needed. Instead he opted to give the wicket keeper catching practice and quickly returned to the sidelines.

Jon M and Dan Carter both played themselves in well blocking shots away and managed to stick around for 4/5 overs each respectively but the crosswind was proving difficult for the batsmen. Tim fell to a good one handed leaping catch at mid off and was unlucky not to score more with the top order.

Up stepped Nathan to try and steady the ship. Without hesitation he played 3 lovely fours that quickly got Fleetwood's attention. It was at this point that they momentarily stopped laughing at us. The middle order come back was on!! Nathan got a quick single and returned shortly after from being clean bowled. The middle order come back was off!!

However up stepped Polly and Rad who decided to show us that hitting the ball does actually improve the chance of getting runs. Polly dispatched a huge six to the biggest cheer of the day, while Rad danced up and down the wicket like he was auditioning for Riverdance. They provided enough runs for us to reach a new season batting high and more importantly make a game of it. Jimmy, Chris M and Ackers played exactly how a tail end should, miserably, contributing 1 run. Big shout out to the extras column though offering the third best score of the day for Wyre.

A quick turn around after Jon Hargreaves' Michelin Star tea, Wyre were fired up to hunt down a victory. Nathan and Rad opened the bowling keeping it tight and the run rate down to a minimum. A strong start from Wyre was leaving the batsmen little to get excited about and when they did connect they were faced with Kenny Crabtree in the field. He was leaping like a salmon, cutting out any quick singles and keeping the pressure on the frustrated batsmen.

A change of the opening bowlers brought Chris M and Glendon on to try their luck. A spring in the pitch that was causing all sorts of issues. Finally a chance, the spring came into effect and the batsmen top edged a pull shot. Chris M put on his name on the catch with great intent (Jon H gratefully thinking, at least if he messes it up its on his own bowling). Chris then completely messed it up. Fleetwood chipped away at the score consistently with Polly entering the attack to try and find a breakthrough. Although very fortunate at times, Fleetwood offered us few chances. They easily reached the target with 10 overs to go without dropping a wicket.

Roys analogy - You’re missing your bowlers from last year.

My analogy - We should probably start batting properly.

Highlight - King Kenny rolling back the years and fielding like a hero.

Wyre Man of the Match - Rad - Batted well, bowled well and after the birth of mini Amos last week it was great to see his commitment.