1st XI v Ashton CC 4th June 2016

No Pro today as he was giving one of his motivational speeches at a wedding in Cheshire. Anyway, arrived just as Danny and Swampy were looking at the pitch, rubbing their chins and shaking their heads. "Some effing road skip" muttered Swampy as closer inspection was to reveal a ridge at both ends, hit the trough and it shot through at boot height, hit the peak and it took off like a Harrier Jump Jet. Monksey was already unpacking his Silence of the Lambs head gear. (I hope it isn't worn at home or it would scare the life out of Monksey Junior.) Back to the Moorside innings which was presided over by the legendary John Holder (renowned umpire and President of the Pennine Cricket League). Swampy was yet again the pick of the batsmen with 31 from 46, the Jagster and skipper had amassed 20 each but Bonzer was still in Ibiza. Tommy got a pearler from left-arm spin, Woolley which turned him inside out, caught the trailing edge and flew to pro Chamikara Edirisinghe, who's name, incidentally, is taller than he is. Pete B hung around playing a steadying middle order role whilst Immy, having dropped down the order to try and find is form was out for 1. I thought of suggesting that if all else fails, Immy tried batting right-handed and see what happens. (Fortunately, for the 'side and Immy, he took an amazing 4 for 7 from 8 overs with 5 maidens.) Sneaky had clearly decided that with a few overs to play with he would play a sensible innings (by Sneaky-standards that means swiping at every alternate ball). Nonetheless it paid off and he played well for his 26 with five fours of 39 balls. Monksey was out second ball to a boot cutter, Glenn Mac returning from a job-hunting and pie eating tour to Bedfordshire was run out for 5 and yet again JT did not face. Time for tea. Rumour around the ground was that after the first three wickets, Ashton were vulnerable and so it proved to be. Jamie got a bit of tap for his two wickets but scored a direct hit from distance to run out the aforementioned Mr Woolley. His opening partner whacked 23 from 17 before he was caught at long-off by Glenn. As always, Sneaky and Tommy were lively in the field except Tommy was not quite lively enough to take what would have been an excellent catch. (50p fine please). Glenn Mac replaced Tommy after 6 overs and bowled a good 7 for 23 runs and 2 scooter wickets, one got the pro LBW for 10 and the other was bowled. Immy replaced JT and turned it sideways (shades of Friarmere). Two of his wickets were catches by Swampy at slip, the first being superb. Bainsey swooped at point/gulley to give Danny a wicket and that was more or less it.