‘I think we will give it a go’.

Following days of heavy rain Supremo and the Skipper surveyed the wicket at 10am, looking damp and soggy but with a positive forecast the decision to play was made.

Following what has been too long it was a pleasure to finally welcome Little Missenden back to the Meadow, with the sun drying the wicket both Skippers surveyed the greenery before them and tossed the coin. The lucky coin supplied by Nico continued to bring luck and this time it too was of the good form as Toobes lost the toss and informed his players we were batting.

Opening for the Pelicans we had the two Khans Raheel and Yusuf and it didn’t take long for the Khans to get a move on surprisingly Raheel taking the singles and not surprisingly Yusuf smacking the 4’s and 6’s. With 36 in the board the first Pelican wicket fell, the mighty Yusuf going for another 6 and as the ball stuck in the wicket, he lobbed it up to mid-wicket.

With Yusuf departing the Pelicans welcomed back Baby Has, who was actually not much of a baby any more being twice the width of Big Has and taller, some even said better looking but that is entirely subjective.

Anyway, Baby Has in no time at all reacquainted himself with his bat and went at the LM bowlers, Raheel continued his run total in singles punctuated with the odd 4’s and 6 before falling back into singles. With his score on 40 Raheel managed to be deceived by the speed and planted his leg directly in front of the wicket, NVDP not wanting to miss a chance to show his umpiring skills hesitated then with a chin like Mussolini raised his finger.

Baby Has was now joined by Nixon who with Caribbean panache swished a single followed by another single followed by a 4 followed by an out. Nixon was replaced by Big Has and the watching Pelicans settled back in their chairs to witness a Has magic.

Unfortunately, Big Has contributed 4 runs and was then bowled by a straight one that bounced at bat height travelling at a speed of less than 5mph which left Baby Has to continue with JG.

JG sauntered to the wicket and Gandalf-like kept all balls away from his wicket, Baby Has meanwhile continued with his personal run chase got to 43 and was then caught by the wicket keeper, a fine innings and a great way to start his Pelicans season.

JG continued with his defensive attack and was joined by another debutant Mark who with South African aplomb immediately went for the bowlers. A very quick 11 then followed until he was bowled quickly followed by JG who finally went for 10 having smashed his first 4.

There then followed a batting masterclass of Adam followed by Nico followed by Toobes who between them contributed 4 runs, I will say no more.

An excellent tea was provided by Adam who offered Chilli two options vegie and meatie, Nico still smarting after the soup option the week before was refused commented on the similarity of the two foods ie soup and chilli and then left that comment hanging……. Me neither.

With a score of 171 posted the Pelicans commenced their bowling attack.

Opening from the Railway End was Toobes, looking crinkly and old but bowling with new meanness as his first over was a maiden.

Opening from The Nags End was the debutant Mark equally showed great meanness in his bowling.

It didn’t take long for this bowling to yield fruit and Toobes soon had the opener out following a fine catch from Baby Has, just to note Big Has was nowhere to be seen. This wicket was soon followed by a second and after his lengthy spell and averages looking good Toobes was retired after 4 overs.

Mark meanwhile continued his spell which comprised some rather unplayable balls which had the LM batsmen swishing all over the place and like a true pro and knowing the quality of the Pelicans fielding took two wickets, both bowled for 11 runs off 6 overs, a great display.

Following the openers, we then watched two even meaner bowlers bowl, Julian who bowled 7 overs for only 6 runs which I must say some were unplayable and Big Has who unbelievably bowled 7 overs for 5 runs and 1 wicket again bowled.

The first 5 wickets had fallen for 31 runs and confidence was high but what we were about to witness would change all the above to a side show.

Taking over at the Railway End was the man himself Nico, he was joined by Adam at the Nags End.

First over from Nico wicket maiden the catch taken by Baby or should we say Better Has. Nico’s second over was disappointing in that it was only a maiden, his third over then found him back into the groove with another wicket maiden and LBW. The fourth over was yet another wicket maiden a fine catch at square leg taken by Nixon, and his final over which finished the innings was another wicket a fine catch taken by Adam. Figures for NVDP 4.4 overs 4 wickets and 3 runs.

As for Adam he had delivered from his end having only allowed 9 runs from his spell.

Victory.

Notable mentions,
Nixon who was not allowed to bowl as he was simply too fast on the wicket.
Yusuf who stood up to Julian and kept wicket fantastically.
Mark who in true Pelican fashion was concentrating on a cigarette as he almost missed the ball coming to him.
After the game we had a turnout of 10 players at the Nags which was just great.
Finally it was a pleasure to welcome Little Missenden to the Meadow, a fixture that has been neglected for too long.

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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.