Played for a team made up of mostly us 3rd XI Players with a couple of 2s and a guy from the 1st. Played a local side for our annual friendly, always at their place, Stanway. Thatched pavilion, on stone mushroom stilts!
They batted first, came on after 16 overs. I took 1-39 off my 8 overs, which included 5 fourballs which were duly dispatched. Need to eliminate the one I hold onto for too long and drag down...Got my mate out who opened with one that spun in and hit the off bail. They set 162 in their 40 overs.
I opened the batting with the guy who played in the 1sts a couple of years back, struggled to get going against some tight bowling and we put on about 70 in 20 overs. Felt difficult until I got to 15 when it was coming more naturally. Played a lovely cover drive for 4 which was my highlight, and also an off drive with the same result (hit 4 or 5 in total) Got to 33 before I was done by a ball that seamed back a fair bit, didn't get over it enough. Frustrating but enjoyed my time in the middle.
Lost a few quick wickets as soon as I fell and ended up needing 12 of the last 2 balls but couldn't get over the line. Enjoyable game though