1st XI v Heyside 23rd July 2016

Oh dear! With a weakened 'side on the Heyside "postage stamp", Heyside won the toss and chose to bat. OA, J-R Campbell and Pro, Bilal Khiljee put on 257 for the 2nd wicket and Heyside finished on 387 for 6. Their innings was interrupted for nearly and hour by a bizarre incident which resulted in Hodders at deep-mid off tripping up over something (not one of several potholes in the outfield, apparently) and (after Para-medic attendance and a few hours in A & E) being diagnosed with a hair-line fracture of the ankle bone. With leg in a cast and 6-8 weeks recovery that's probably it for the 2016 season. Fed, heartily, on fish and chips with options of curry sauce, gravy and mushy peas (I know, classy!!) the 'side were ready and willing to chase down the score. Bonzer opened with Tommy and were progressing well at 57 off 5 overs when the LBW curse struck Bainsey again. In the humidity and warmth the stumps had clearly grown by at least 1 foot so that the ball hitting the thigh pad on a six foot tall batsman made him plumb LB. Skipper Danny entered the fray and with Tommy put on a further 50+ and the rate was still at the point above the Heyside target. On 45, Tommy slapped a full-toss back to bowler Cashin instead of pulling it over the pavilion for 6. "I try to play straight" said Tom, "Discover cow-corner" said I. Further resistance was at a premium with Swampy knocking 22 from 23, after that a collapse to 167 all out, with the Pro obviously unable to take the strike with his foot-up in The Royal Oldham A & E.