Game One: 3rd XI vs PECC, Home

The 3rd XI entertained Pakistani Express in the league opener. Once again captain Marshy performed a miracle and assembled a proper motley crew to take the field.

The visitors won the toss and inserted Bristol on a very good early season wicket prepared by groundsman Lord and his 'assistant' Mr Paul.

General sporting a new Bruce Willis esque beard opened the batting with lookalike Ollie Eglon.

Ollie was quickly dismissed with a good seed by Junaid who bowled well throughout the day.

This bought Bubbles to the crease, after an early pep-talk by myself [Space Hopper], Gene realised he could not afford to get a good 15 and get out. So he got a good 16 before being dismissed.

Youngster Joss Plummridge arrived with the General who was batting nicely at the other end. The youngster got pinned by a bouncer early on, picked himself up without the assistance of the General and made a good 22 before being caught one handed in the covers. An unfortunate end to a promising innings.

Birch entered the arena at 5 reeling after the poor turnout in the local and mayoral election looked in good touch and eventually made 34.

A key turning point in the game was when General was run out by a bullet throw from 45 yards and good keeping, which in division 5 of the B & D is almost a biblical event. Lee was dismissed for 54 and with it probably went Bristol hopes of a large total.

After some lusty hitting by Chris White, the 3rd Xi made 201 off there 45 overs.

Bristol knew the visitors would not die wondering- and they didn't, Pakistani Express went off like an train [pun intended] despite some excellent bowling by the General.

After this start the 3rds were always behind the 8 ball on a small ground and good wicket. Birch bowled decently while bowling 3 maidens with 2 wickets in 2 balls during his 9 overs, but did receive a bit of the plow going for 55.

With Ice Road incapacitated, slow bowling duties were passed to fellow road layer Steve Probert who bowled nicely for three overs before receiving the plow in his 4th over, very reminiscent of Ice Road in games passed which effectively ended the game.

A very mixed outing for the 3rds who aim to improve next week away at Wookpeckers.