Kept On The Eger-ton Of Your Seat

Sometimes a near miss is a good thing. Two planes missing each other at 30,000 feet is good, pulling out of your driveway just as the mother in law appears around the corner is beneficial (no reflection on my own mother in law...obviously) but losing by a gnats tooth enamel for the second week running is a bit galling.

The usual skipper had pulled up the ladder to wave Jamie Vardy goodbye leaving the team in the hands of the fat keeper. However on this occasion the fat keeper handed the gloves to Will Bale and then Tom Seymour Smith. One team mate asked him directly, "What you going to do then, stand at slip and gob off?". Very astute, young man!

The outfield at the lovely Egerton Park ground was likened to a Sumo Wrestler. Short at the ends but very wide in the middle. The wicket looked a bit green and likely to keep the bowlers interested, fat (usual) keeper called correctly and told his cherry chuckers to get loose. Spoiler alert, they did themselves proud.

Not long after drinks Egerton were 77 for 6. A combination of Sam Hill, Farhan and Custard Tit ripped through the top order. And when Mandeep got the prized scalp of former Kibworth First Teamer, BBQ Maestro and all round good egg, Carl Fourie the visitors looked well set. Cue ethical dilemma

On a Saturday you would bring the opening bowlers back and go for the kill but this was not a league game, this was a Sunday friendly and Fleckney don't work that way. This was an opportunity for other bowlers to get a twirl and it led to wickets for Ollie Timms, Adam Houghton and Nigel Hallchurch, the latter bowling the opposition skipper behind his legs. Egerton finished on 178.

There was a new opening partnership with Timms and Barot. Ollie showing considerable signs of vertigo batting that high in the order and Brij hiding a personal bet with the fat skipper that he would get a fifty with his match fees being paid if he achieved it. Ollie got one before receiving a scuttler to end the experiment and on 17 Brij obviously decided he was a Pharmacist who could probably afford to pay his own £10 and presumably played a shot to allow someone else to have a go.

Let us now turn to Mandeep, the much loved all rounder with an ever more luxurious and magnificent beard. Before heading to the square he came out with a quote that sums up his attitude to the game," You are going to get out anyway so you might as well have a swing". Mandeep being a gentleman and a man of his word he proceeded to put that sentiment into action.

Batting like a man with somewhere else to be Mandeep launched the balls to all parts. An assault that launched the kind of fear that only a tray of sarnies can feel with Frank (get well soon buddy) hovering near by.

Sadly with the finishing line in sight and with 74 to his name Mandeep went with one swipe too many and Fleckney fell just 17 short.Mandeep offered his apologies but, to be fair, it was his heroics that meant Fleckney even got close.

So in the land of the Pork Pie Egerton had just squeaked by. Lovely afternoon but it was a thin crust of pastry that separated the two teams. Just hope this report did Stilt-on the details......