On arrival at Old Pauline's ground, we changed and made the long walk over to the pitch. Hallers at the helm again as Brewy opted to play 2s. We lost the toss and were put in.. their captain commenting on how few tosses we loose and made his decision based on that we always seem to bowl first. Perhaps he also noticed that Jim was nowhere to be seen...

With Jim still no where to be seen. Stoney was promoted to open up with Noisey. Noisey forgot to mention that he couldn't move his neck so could only stand square on and had to turn completely round for each run. Not ideal although quite funny to watch. Stoney fell cheaply chopping on. Mattie started his innings brightly. Noisey then fell to a quick in swinger which left the umpire with a very easy decision. Mattie followed shortly to a similar dismissal. Toby Graham played all the right shots but couldn't find the gaps and also fell cheaply. The score on 29/4 off 15 overs with extras being the top score. Jim had finally arrived.. conveniently the opening bowlers had been seen off. (Martin 1 for 11 and John 3 for 19 off their 9 overs apiece).

The change bowlers offered no respite. Michael and Jim dug in with Jim capitalising on anything short or any leg stump half volleys, ruthlessly aiming for the rather immobile fine leg fielder! Michael fell for 14 in a similar fashion to last week, trying to pull the length straight one. Hallers in next with the score on 70/5. Jim and Hallers pushed the scoring on at 6s to push us over 100 putting on 40 odd. Hallers fell for 18 for one that simply went under. Jim and Pead batted well and took advantage of some interesting bowling. Jim falling for 53 with the score on a competitive 145 ish. Enter George and Dale. Dale with the classy shots and George with the boom boom, both batted class to get us up to 169 all out. Dale with 18 and George with 14.

Mattie kindly taking the gloves as Stoney's finger was still hurting from his drop catch last week.

George and Josh opened up the bowling once again. Both of them bowled brilliantly with an attacking field. Josh reaching his 199th and 200th DCC wickets in quick succession to leave TD 23/2. George then produced another unplayable ball (as he has done so many times this year), 25/3. A great start when defending a low score.

A slight resurgence when Sam Clutterbuck joined Jai Patel (the skipper). Josh however had other ideas and had Clutterbuck trapped in front to leave TD 37/4. DCC were now confident of the 20 points although wary as we were in a similar position. Toby and Dale didn't let up the pressure and were actually more economical than the openers. Incredible maturity from two youngsters, Dale finally getting the breakthrough with a brilliant yorker to break the 39 run partnership meanwhile Toby finished with 7 overs 0/14. Pead then cleaned up the skipper for 43 with another brilliant yorker. Michael contributed with a smart run out. George also took a rather nonchalant caught and bowled. Batsman smashed it back at him, he stuck a hand out above his head and plucked it.

With one ball remaining in Pead's over, he pulled up with a twisted knee. The 6 eligible players stood like meerkats waiting for the call. Hallers picked Stoney (we had enough runs to play with). Stoney jogged in, took aim and... bowled him!!!! (Via the inside edge). Stoney aka Imran Tahir was off on one, sprinting off in celebration, great scenes. Have a blow mate... Hallers to bowl with one wicket needed, first ball... tossed up... out! Caught and bowled to finish them off.

We fielded brilliantly in this game to restrict the opposition. One of the youngest if not the youngest bowling attacks in the league bowled with incredible maturity.

DCC 169/10
TD 100/10