As a still to be determined number of Pelicans descended on the meadow, at various stages in the week we had anywhere from 9 to 12 players, those arriving early were met by unusual weather for the summer we are having… sunshine.

Thoughts started to drift towards what would be a sensible decision at the toss, knowing Adam was on teas and Tickles was due to arrive at some stage batting was decided as the best option, lucky for Adam no decision needed to be made as he lost the toss and we were asked to bat first by the Fiddlers. Happy days!

Alex and Ali were sent out to open. First over was seen off by Alex but was followed by Ali missing a straight one. This brought new Pelican, and supposed guest (there have been plenty who fall into the Pelicans trap and play regularly), George Ball to the crease. 2-1 off 2. Now what followed has been seen at the meadow plenty of times with Alex at the crease, solid defence, low scoring rate but no real danger. Alex batting in typical dogged style and George pouncing on the bad balls took us to 55. It was at this stage, having seen off the opening bowlers Alex decided to accelerate. This was his first mistake. Cue a lofted on drive just clearing the fielder. Next ball, same shot, out. That was his second mistake, trying the same shot. Caught mid off for 14. Amit (41*) joined GB with the remaining 8 Pelicans feeling relaxed. The score ticked over for a few overs until George’s dad arrived, distracted by this arrival, GB promptly missed one that spun away from the Fiddlers left arm spinner and was bowled for a solid 37.

Jim Joined Amit, whacked a four back over the bowlers head and got out, Josh walks in, gets confused, chips to midwicket. Golden duck. Rebuild needed. JG provided the perfect partner for Amit, blocking the good, working the bad. This took our score onto 90. It was at this stage we were starting to wonder where Ticks was, good chance he would be needed to bat!

Expecting an early tea with Nico meandering out to bat, we were treated to a mind boggling display. Having never seen Nic bat for more than 14 balls, to see him hit 14 runs was truly enthralling, the highlight a cut shot thrashed through point over slip for 4. See pictures for proof! Amit and Nico leading us to 125-6. The feeling at tea was we were a few light but very defendable on the spongy and up and down pitch.

Now the bowling, having watched England try double spin, skip decided “it can’t go wrong twice” and opened with batting hero Nic and himself. First ball, huge appeal from George behind the stumps, nothing doing, pad into gloves, good take. Thoughts started leading towards a win after the early “chance”. But this was as close as we got to a wicket from the opening spells (I promised James I wouldn’t mention his drop).

Then it happened, the pitch had dried, the plentiful gaps were exploited, still no Tickler and the Fiddlers score ticked over effortlessly reaching 50-0 in the 11th. A change of bowling followed with JG coming up the hill and the enthusiastic Toobes Josh coming down the hill. There definitely wasn’t any double teapots, hints of flounce or general sulking at having to bowl down the hill. Despite the reservations, and with his pace up, it was this spell between the two usual openers that our wickets were taken, both by the downhill Josh but created by a good tight bowling partnership, in the context of the chase going at 4 and 5 an over each was a good effort, helped by the arrival of Tickles after a few overs each and shortly after drinks.

This also brought an increase in energy to the lead footed and bedraggled Pelicans and the scoring slowed. Until skip turned to Alex with 6 needed, 3 ones and an almighty six landing somewhere near court 8 ended proceedings, We move onto Penn and Tylers Green next week looking to bounce back again and to go back to the W side of out WLWLW form.

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Reports are intended to convey an entertaining picture of the day’s play. No disrespect is meant, but if on occasion we misjudge matters, please take it in the friendly and humorous spirit in which it is intended.