SUNDAY, 4 JUNE vs FAILAND & PORTBURY at BLAGDON
Blagdon 185-10, Failand & Portbury 280-4 - Lost by 95 runs


After two weeks of heavy rain we were looking forward to the fine weather this weekend. Unfortunately, it also brought forth the league's best team and our squad were still enjoying the half-term break.

We fielded first and Freddie J opened the bowling with two fine maidens and Peter backed this up with some accurate deliveries. Their slow start was just a cover for the fireworks to come as their second pair piled on the runs, as did their third pair. They soon reached 250 and must have relaxed a little as we grabbed three wickets. Their final pair were superb and found all the gaps in our field although we helped it along with some iffy bowling. At the end they had amassed 280 runs for 4 wickets but a massive 41 runs were extras. Our wicket takers were Will A, David, and Will P (2).

The break time was a sombre affair as we contemplated an uphill task but we started really well with Olly Paton and Peter matching Failand's opening score against some hostile (in the best sense) bowling. Our next two pairs lost 6 wickets between them and all hope was gone. Failand then brought back their good bowlers for our final two pairs and in 8 overs we only scored 6 runs but lost another 4 wickets to finish on 185-10.

It was a massive defeat but there was some bright moments. Cambell and Harry put in some good running between the wickets, Peter's fielding was much improved and he had a good pick-up and throw at the stumps, Will P got two good wickets when he bowled straight. David didn't get chance for the Murray Walker impression as he was out first ball but he bowled well. Clearly, Failand were a quality team and we hope to do better at Cheddar next week.