Canewdon is always one of our favourite fixtures thanks to the warm welcome that is always given there.

It was great to see the old Civic guard again as well as some of our 2024 new recruits. Thanks in particular to Sahil for getting there even though he was feeling under the weather.

I was not so grateful to have offered Elmo a lift as he was busy muttering down the phone, complaining about the reception, for the whole journey trying to organise work. When he’d finished with that he then spent the rest of the day taking the piss out of Dave & I (aka Kim Jung Um and Kim Jung Nan the great Civic Dictators).

Civic to bat and 20 overs to look forward to. The outfield looked like it had not been mowed since last season and so the prospect of flashing cover drives for 4 seemed remote.
Elmo had a quick dabble outside off stump but succumbed cheaply.

Finn made a welcome return to Civic (38*) and along with new recruit Wali (54*) put on a quickfire 75 between them, both retiring with strike rates of approaching 200. As usual Dave ran me out cheaply, rather annoying as he had persuaded me to spend all my money the week before on a new bat, which didn’t get much use. Charlz added a creditable 13 before Dave picked off a quick 28, no other batsman added much to the score and with a substantial tally of extras (41) left us with a impressive total of 188-6.

Canewdon quickly lost wickets with Jerin involved in everything, taking a decent catch at mid on then getting Simon caught very well by Frankie deep on the offside, only to be followed by him being further embroiled by dropping a much simpler catch (£1 fine) but later making amends by throwing the stumps down with a smooth pick up and throw in one action.

Frankie swept into bowl like a youthful Mikey Holding, picking up his first wicket of the season clean bowled.

Jack batted well for them and nearly got psyched out to fall for the Hughes curse of getting him out every time, but he got lazy and was run out by Wali.

In what was later described as “the greatest miracle since Lazarus’ resurrection” Elmo scooped up a ball in the field and from 45 degrees shied at the stumps and actually ran out Naren. Unbelievable!

Max on loan to Canewdon annoyingly hit me for 6 but revenge was quick as i got him c& b with a diving catch next ball and then tidied up their number 11.

Hughes 2-17

Canewdon all out for 81

Civic Wins by 107 runs

Great hospitality from Canewdon afterwards with food and drinks at the Anchor.

Man of the Match Wali for 54* from 28 balls
Dick of the Day Elmo for (I think) a pointless overthrow and (definitely) for being a dick all day

Martin (AKA Kim Jung Nan) 3/5/24