Game 17: 3rd XI vs Bradley Stoke 2nd XI, Away

Spacials write up...

For the second year in a row the thirds played a very important fixture away a Bradley Stoke at the business end of the season.

There certainly was an element of dejavu as for the second year in a row the hosts won the toss on a belter of a wicket on a belter of a day and asked us to bat.

It was also the second year in a row Birchy was MIA for the journey to the suburb.

As per the previous year Bristols openers proceeded to dispatch the ball to all parts with the Vicar and the Whale hitting it with his piece.

We were roughly 90-0 off 13 until Whale was caught in the covers. At this point I was summond to sightscreen duties after news came through that I cursed Brace!

The Vicar mid surmon was joined by a retuning George Kinsey, now resembling the shape of a weeble after 4 weeks in the 'USA'

Shortly after this the Vicar pulled his groin and the Whale returned as a runner. With three brains and serious amounts of schools fees in the middle Bristol continued score quickly.

Once again the Vicar was in imperious form, dispatching the oppositions attempts to bounce him out in to the local primary school.

The usually industrious Kinsey also gave it the plow dispatching the oppositions bowling mainly behind square on the off side and leg side in Kins fashion.

Bristol found themselves in the region of 250-1 with 11 overs left before both Vicar and Kinsey were dimissed in close succession for a very impressive 126 and 86 respectively.

This left Bubbles and Space to finish the Bristol innings at 324-5 off our 45 overs.

Bristols bowlers got off to a fine start with Bradley Stoke 32-3 with Jude and Chippy in the wickets.

However dejavu returned just like last year the Bristol attack found themselves being administered all over Bradley Stoke, with the left handed Bala striking the ball so very cleanly, along with the captain, Bradley Stoke were 150-3 off 18 overs in reply.

Coxy managed to slow the scoring rate bowling his 9 overs for 30 and eventually took the crucial catch off the Whale at long off of the dangerous Bala who got 72 off no more than 35 balls.

From this point Bristol slowly dragged the run rate back, this wasn't helped with dropping the opposition captain 7 times on his was to 60.

With Fred twice, Chippy the Whale and Alsop twice who clearly was thinking of his excuse to miss next week.

Finally on the 8th time and 3rd for Bubbles he held on the the catch to dismiss the opposition captain to the hecklings of his team mates and the chuntering of Marshy.

At this point 120 was needed of 13 overs then 100 off the final 10, with 5 tight overs from Jude and Gary 75 was needed off 5 effectively ending the contest.

Just like last year Bradley Stoke chase fell away and in the haze of some polish locals showing there children the joys of smoking weed at 5 years old Bristol won by 49 runs!

Thanks to the Dog and AB for umpiring.