The 4s Lose Again

With the memories of last week's ten wicket thrashing fresh in everyone's minds, the Mighty 4s travelled to the Stow to take on our old mates Barnes. And with the knowledge of the carnage which took place the week before, Barnes skipper had no hesitation sending the Mighty 4s into bat after winning the toss. And not unlike the previous week, the wickets started tumbling regularly, the 4s batsmen failing to apply themselves sufficiently enough to hang around for any length of time. At 8/66, things looked grim for the Midd as Dykie strode to the crease to partner Mike Wilson. From there we watched half an hour of pure pleasure, as both batsmen stroked balls cleanly and regularly to the boundary.

After 25 overs drinks were taken with the score a more decent 8/118 and both batsmen not out 25, the fifty partnership also recently been notched. But as Glaze always says: "Drinks always brings one". And this was the case, as ex-North Midd boy Tom Willmore clean bowled Mike second ball back, then got one to roll along the Walthamstow pitch to bowl Alex second ball. All out 118. Not a bad result after being 8/66. Great bating Dykie and Mike.

Although a similar total had been posted to the previous week, the atmosphere between innings was very different. The Mighty 4s sensed they were still a big chance in this match, and when Pistol took a double wicket maiden in the third over, the game was alive. Alex, who bowled very nicely for 0/23 off 6, had a few very close chances in the next over which would have left them 3 or 4 for nothing and have the visitors starting to furrow brows. But the two batsmen weathered the storm and took the score beyond fifty before Griff held onto a strong drive off Pistol and Gaurav bowled the other and the game came alive again. Pistol bowled another and Gaurav (2/22) had the next guy caught behind and suddenly Barnes were six down still needing 35 runs to win. Edges and French Cuts kept their score moving up, as Marc counted eight or nine consecutive plays and misses by their opening bowler. Finally, he edged one for Seb to take a good catch at gully and Pistol (5/48) had his five-fer, but Barnes finally fell over the line with yet another edge through the slips for four to win by three wickets.

Sadly, we've dropped back to second on the table, but the passion is still there. Go the Mighty 4s!