v The Muppeteers
Sheen Park
Sunday 1st June
Won by 9 wickets

Having chosen to bat first the Muppeteers were put to the sword by some fine opening bowling from Mushtaq Moore (3 for 9 off 4) and Chesney Billington who made the most of a moist, green wicket. All of the top four fell quickly with the danger man Brendon slicing a drive to a diving one handed JC in the covers.

JC’s gloating was shortlived as he spilled a regulation chance a few overs later. This was the only down point of an otherwise exemplary Maladroits fielding display with the bowlers gifting Brewer three easy catches behind the stumps. There bowlers were at the top of their game and tight figures from Brenner, Capon and even Britten was in no way indicative of the quality of the Muppeteer batting.

Sunday also saw the rejuvenation of Richard “Tricky” Newman as a frontline bowler. He bowled with pace, aggression and amazingly, accuracy to see off the tail (2 for 19). The innings closed with a fine catch by Lock in the slip cordon (another Maladroit anomaly).

After a fine tea, which included some fine Laura-lee fruit cake and fairy cakes the Maladroits required only 98 to win. The Maladroits knocked off the runs for the loss of only one wicket, although both Britten and Lock lived charmed lives with 5 chances going down. Special mention must go to Tim “Monty” Nicholson, who clinically finished off the game with a solid 57 not out which included three thunderous sixes.

MATCH SUMMARY