North Midd 5th XI v Bessborough 4th XI

North Midd 5th XI vs Bessborough (Away)
North Midd 218/6 from 42 overs
Bessborough 123 from 41 overs
North Midd won by 95 runs

The Fantastics were determined to make amends for the disadvantage of batting first during round 2. Captain Richy was on fine form and played a blinder in terms of supreme captaincy! He managed to ensure that the Fantastics batting lineup was perfectly balanced to create a good target off the minimum 42 overs.
Timmy and Shield opened again, and started in a more positive mindset and there was more urgency about the openers this week. The Shield unfortunately got a bit carried away and chipped a half volley to mid on after playing one or two delightful shots. A superb innings then followed from debutant Tommy "Sparrow" Barrow who had the class and style of a true Victorian batsman from down under. Some good running from Timmy and Sparrow saw the numbers 1 and 3 put on a 93 run partnership for the second wicket. Plenty of 3's on a vast outfield ensured that the Fantastics were well on their way to another decent score. It was good to see the Duke of Kent back in the Midd team after an absent year last season, and he looked classy until he was foiled by a looping full bunger.Some hard hitting from Dougie (42*) and Laurie (21 off 8 balls) saw the Fantastics end on 218 for 6 off 42 overs.
A great tea of Chicken Tikka Sarnie's, Pakoras and Bhajis ensured that a spicy bowling spell was started by Ussie and Laurie who both went through their gears! Laurie Pearce taking 4 for 37 off 12 and Joe Bangerter 3 for 15 off 9. Banger bowled a wonder ball that dismissed the Bessborough skipper.....it hit the seam of a length which sent it towards leg, and then the shine on the other side of the ball made it swing back and clip the off stump....(not bad for a 14 year old who has bowling ability years ahead of his age). Ussie's second spell was particularly outstanding regularly beating the bat with his out-swing. His figures of 2 for 36 don't do him justice. The other 14 year old in the team Laurie "HGV" Pearce was just as impressive as his in-swingers were too much for the Bessborough 4th XI...in fact they would have been good enough to give some serious problems for the best 2nd XI batsmen! Special mention to some great keeping by The Shield who took two stunning catches and only a single bye in 42 overs(WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED A WIDE)... obviously the best, I mean second best after Joe Hewton in the club! This win by 95 runs was especially sweet considering the 5s only had 6 players on Tuesday. Many thanks to Ussie, Robbie Kent, Doug Teesdale, Laurie/Toby Pearce for changing their plans and playing.
5s won by 95 runs. (14 points from first two games....bring on Wembley next week!)

Timmy "Father Time" Allen