After a 4 week layoff due to the persistent rain, fingers were crossed that the rather poor forecast would be wrong and that we could get back on the roll.
We gathered at Eastwood for our latest adventure, with due credit to Gotham for turning up on time (take note Darsh).
The pitch was green on top and felt a bit soft and unrolled with the outfield lush and damp.

Dave claims to have won the toss and we would bat in what turned out to be much better conditions.

Eastwoods opening bowlers were quite lively and the ball seemed tricky to get off the square. Wali, however, was soon into his stride making a quickfire 20 off 14. Keating and Dan fought hard to no avail. Dave batted for most of the innings but could not seem to get on strike, running at least 2 runs for every one he scored. Darsh was particularly guilty of keeping him off strike, but having scored 46 off 28 he need not feel bad, especially after the memorable pulled 6 over square and into the road (luckily missing my car). Dave and Darsh put on 71 for the 4th wicket and a high score was in prospect. After Darsh fell for 46 (jug avoidance) it was good to see Leo, a “proper” Civvy back and hitting the boundary ropes. After Leo departed Dave was soon bowled but interestingly didn’t walk, believing that the keeper had taken the bails off, anyway the decision stood and he was out for a hard fought 23 off 20. It was left to Luke and I to rise (successfully) to Dave’s challenge of scoring 20 from the last 2 overs. Finally my new (drunken purchase) bat was unleashed, scoring 16 from 6 including a 6 over long on and two 4s. Civic innings closed at 142-7.

Eastwood found it hard going against the pace of Matt and Jerin and were soon behind the required rate. Jerin picked up the first prized wicket of Harp in the 5th over with the score on just 33. Luke picked up the second opener 2 overs later and the squeeze was on at 39-2. There was some concern for Wali as he went for a steepling catch at mid-on, the now wet rain soaked ball slipped through his fingers and smacked into his forehead. Admirably he soldiered on seemingly unscathed, but was spotted later dabbing it hoping for a battle scar to show off. Gowtham kept the pressure on with his new found pace then with about 70 runs left to get from 6 overs, Dave felt confident enough to loose myself and Darsh, the “maverick” bowlers to bring it home. Sadly, I was a little rusty and the first over went for 10 including a 6 and a no ball, but things settled down and soon the fielders were called into action. Nerves were jangling as the ball was skied in my 2nd over to long off, but all doubts went away when it was Gotham under the ball and he put his bucket hands to great use pouching a perfect catch in the deep. This inspired the Wells family with Dan taking another good deep catch at cow for Darsh and Luke bagging a head high cut at point. Fittingly it was left to Darsh to finish off and he bowled a flawless last over, resulting in another high struck catch in the deep, as before there was no doubt it was going to stick when we saw the Caped Crusader homing in and sure enough the buckets held firm, the innings closed with Eastwood back in the Batcave at 100-6.
Darsh 2-12, Hughes 2-19
A winning performance characterised by solid positive batting, disciplined bowling and excellent fielding (maybe one exception for a rather over exuberant overthrow ) no name mentioned, but you know who you are 😊

A good win for Civic by 42 runs

Man of the Match Darsh for a noteworthy all round performance of 46 runs and 2-12
Dick of the day not voted for and in spite of Luke trying to throw the pink hat away, Dan wore it whilst loudly denying the accusation of bottling out on a catch in the deep
Champagne moment was not voted for either, but I would suggest that Gotham’s two steepling catches take the prize

Nice to meet the Well’s WAGS, with good spirited after match bar, although Dave was bearing the brunt of Luke’s relentless banter.
Thanks to Anjo for doing 12th man fielding duties, your day will come.

Sadly the driver (me) had to leave early so we can’t claim to have won bar but Dave, Darsh and Jerin batted on courtesy of Rash’s restaurant until late and having bumped into Jerin the day after, I reckon a fair amount of late bar was consumed…..

Check out the Play cricket link for the detailed scorecard:
https://civiccentrecc.play-cricket.com/website/results/6477540

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy playing as well as England v Australia and India v Pakistan

Martin 7/6/24