Stoney-mate

What an afternoon. Bashing , bruises but no real losers. Well maybe Fleckney who fell to an 8 runs reversal but what is 8 runs between friends?

Let's deal with the bruises first. Mandeep and Seth had a midwicket collision which left the young leggie a little worse for wear. No serious damage done, maybe just enough to gain some maternal sympathy at close of play.

Terry wore one on the hand whilst umpiring at Square Leg and initially it looked like a wet weekend in Skeggy. Grey, bumpy and ugly. However the direct application of ice worked its magic and cold condensation from a pint of lager later on completed the recuperation.

Now to the bashing. Messers Morley (57) , Ward (51) and N Gutteridge (61) accelerated the scoring for the home side.

Morley batted with a helmet over his sweatband. Think Bjorn Borg in his pomp but without the long flowing Scandinavian locks, indeed with no hair at all. On reflection more Brian Baldy than Bjorn Borg.

Ward batted with great assurance before having the grave misfortune of having the fat keeper snag one standing up and Nick Gutteridge played with cosmopolitan class and genuine quality, once again proving himself the second best reporter at the ground...obviously.

Stoneygate would finish on 236 for 5 which on a strong batting track seemed to be a decent but not overwhelming score. The skipper had turned one and The Mole had knocked over Will Bale with a perfectly landed 'Claw'. It was perfectly set up for the second half.

Dunkers (43) and Gunshow (34) set the platform but it was Mandeep who roared back to form with a typically entertaining 97. Three ducks obviously didn't play on his mind as his first ball went for 4, the second one followed and the third went for 6. For a bloke who doesn't drink he seemed in a hell of a hurry to get to the bar.

There was always a sense Fleckney were close but never really in front of the chase. 18 wanted off the last over became an 8 run defeat against our dear friends. Games between the two sides are always close and this time it was Stoneygate who triumphed and genuine congratulations to them. A nod too for wicketkeeper Knight who took 3 catches behind the poles.

Thankfully these two sides meet twice a season so put the August rematch in your diary. Hopefully the skipper who ran a high percentage of his 33 runs will have got his breath back by then....but we wouldn't guarantee it.