After a long warm up on the hottest day of the year so far, Sheri had the simple task of keeping us out of the blazing heat and calling heads – tails it was!

Bristol opened up with a duo with a terrifying fighting weight on a par with an out of season Fury / Klitschko rematch and immediately put the ball in the right areas. Not much came from the bat in the opening overs until the opening bat chased a wide one (ball not bowler) and the bails were dislodged in slow motion. Pony and Manders continued to keep the opposition in check going for less than four an over on what appeared a road of a track.

Unsurprisingly, the heat started to take its toll and Pony decided against a ten over spell up hill in 28 degrees. Spinky charged in and gave the batsmen no opportunity to score and was soon rewarded with a leg before which was hitting half way up somewhere between off and leg stump much to the protestation of the batsman and his double teapot.

The batting side never really got going after this as the spin trio of Lordy, Jonesy and Coxy tied the batsmen down with tight lines and length. Lordy bowled a teasing length which started the stranglehold. His appeal for LBW for his first wicket resembled the recent Maori haka and the very next ball saw a very tidy bit of glove work by Sheri though the batsman was so far down the wicket it was almost given as a run out. Jonesy and Coxy frustrated Brislington in a long combined spell. At first, Coxy was determined not to bowl short whilst Jonesy was determined not to bowl full. After their lengths were addressed, they whistled through their overs and most of the batting line-up.

Only one batsman was interested in sticking around but had no partners that could handle the spin trio. Fielding was good all day given the heat with only one or two minors blemishes which must have been down to the sun and the factor 50 greasing the hands on two occasions. George and Spinky took two good catches – luckily they were in the right fielding places as George’s was low down and Spinky’s high above his head. Lordy seems keen to avoid buying a jug missing out on both a hat-trick and a five-for as Manders mop up the last wicket.

170 was never going to be enough on that wicket which made Brislington try something different and open up with two spinners. Spinky and Tobes weren’t to be flustered and decided that boundaries was a good option in getting the game over quickly. Bad balls were summarily dismissed whilst the bowlers chuntered on about their poor fortunes. Tobes took it upon himself to administer a mid-innings fielding practice as he peppered every member of the opposition team between fours. Spinky (or “Pinky” after his misapplication of sun tan lotion) looked imperious as he smashed anything loose but was unlucky to play round a straight one. Brownie strode to the crease without a care in the world and slowly and calmly continued to dispatch all deliveries to any part of the boundary he decided. In particular, he found it easy getting up on his toes and effortlessly flicking bowlers over mid-wicket. Tobes was unlucky to nick one behind playing what seemed a customary late cut.

At this stage, George managed to upset Stov with his audible comments on their bowling but no-one could argue with his view. Herring joined Brownie keen to get the game over with as the total was easily chased down with 17 overs to spare.

A good win without really getting out of first gear! Hats off to all.