As a mark of respect to Josh I have held off reporting on our first league game until the papal conclave had finished its work. I’m pleased to report, that just like Leo XIV we were triumphant. Despite a busy close season in the transfer market, the only new arrival on display last week was Reyhan’s magnificent moustache – little did we realise what a devastating impact it would have later. The game began on Bickley’s magnificent MCG sized playing area with Irv winning the toss and electing to…..well, you know.
The opening stand of 57 came at more than a run a ball, putting pressure on Bickley’s bowlers before Irv’s suicidal running backfired, sending him back for 33. Rikin was joined by Jonny, now having passed his 50 (years, not runs) and Irv’s nemesis got rid of Jonny too, this time with a fantastic one-handed catch. Keeran arrived and he and Rikin moved the score on steadily, putting on 77 before some 9th division running saw Keeran fall on his sword for 25. Jack arrived and looked very assured in compiling his 28. After Rikin’s fantastic innings of 88 (off just 84 balls) ended, Hammer came and went to an ugly swipe but that just hastened fan-favourite Josh’s arrival. Always strong early season, Josh bashed his way to a fine 27, sadly losing Jack on the way. Reyhan, the league’s best number 8 looked exactly that for his 5 ball 5 until he looked like an average number 8. A little tail-wagging took place with George, Vijay and Bhupi all getting off the mark and taking us to a pretty good-looking total of 233.
After a very welcome tea, the sun went in, the wind got up and we all set out to field in near freezing conditions. Bhupi got the early breakthrough bowling Bickley’s opener – his only wicket in a quite fantastic spell of 9-3-24-1. Vijay joined the party from the other end sending back the other opener with the score on 40, but with Bickley already well behind the run rate. Their number 3 batted well, ending up on 85, but not even he could manage to keep up with the rate. Tight bowling also came from Irv (9-1-27-3) and Vijay (5-1-20-0). Jonny went for a few more but picked up two very valuable wickets and by the time an old friend in the shape of Tom Franks-Moore came in, Bickley needed close to 10 an over with few wickets left. George and Jack were unlucky to miss out on wickets, but, as we waited for the inevitable, it arrived in the form oof our moustachioed hero Reyhan. His amazing spell of 1.1-1-0-4 included at least one good ball and finished off Bickley’s resistance.
Overall, a strong performance, with plenty of scope to improve next week as we take on ODCuaco at College Meadow.
MOM – Rikin
DOD – Reyhan
Champagne moment – Keeran
Positive race relations – Josh
Nicola Fuller safeguarding award – BPCC 3rd xi (excluding their number 11)
Hammer supersupporter of the day – Slim Jon Doyle