Tiddington 1st XI vs Buckingham Town 2nd XI – Saturday 23rd June

Saturday saw Tiddington take on Buckingham Town 2s as the sun was shining down on what was a glorious looking TCC.

After last week’s co-piloting nightmare Jord decided to drive himself this week, however it’s clearly been a few weeks since he’s taken on this venture and has forgotten how long it takes…. a long with William ‘Late Cooper and Charlie ‘I’m blind’ Elliot we all made it to the game before the start time – which is more than can be said for Buckingham…

Once again I headed out for the inevitable to happen, losing another Toss (1/8 so far) and being asked to take the field on what we thought was going to be a long and hot afternoon in the sun. With a 30 yard boundary one side we were all in for a high scoring bananza…

The new ball was taken by Lutto and Jord who set about with some tidy lines and lengths restricting Buckingham to only a few scraps to feed from. Eventually after a steady start, patiently probing away on a good line and length Luttto made the breakthrough snicking the opener behind to our resident Fridge who had found himself at slip due to injury.

More probing lines from Lutto and some catching practice later the number 3 snicked off trying to run a single down to 3rd man. A change in bowling saw Tom Weymes have a go down the hill who quickly found his rhythm bowling the number 4 through the gate.

Another change saw the ever dependable Mr Smith who inevitably trapped his first victim LBW. A couple of overs later saw another LBW victim for Mr Smith. A snick behind from Weymo and some tidy work from Pykett to run out their number 7 leaving Buckingham 7 down.

News had spread that Buckingham still only had 10 at this stage as 1st Team captain Jonny Cater had been held up at work in the morning. Would he make it?

Another arm ball by Neil trapped his 3rd victim of the day LBW and left Buckingham struggling on 89-8. Tommy Weymes continuing down the hill got dispatched through mid off before next ball crashing through the stumps leaving Buckingham on 93-9. A quick look around showed that Buckingham were still only with 10. So that concluded the innings.

Having bowled them out in 31 overs. Tea was not quite ready so coops and archic put the pads on and went out to knock off the runs. Buckingham 11th man came down the drive just in time to put his keeping kit on…

Our batsmen set about finding ways of getting out left us struggling as well on 36-3. Archie miss timing a lofted drive, max trying to show their number 3 how to run the ball down to 3rd man but with the same outcome, coops miss timing a pull shot. I then followed Archie miss timing a drive leaving us on 64-4.

Lutto strode out and with some lusty blows alongside Charlie took us up to the 80s. Charlie snicking behind and Pykett kicking a straight one without troubling the score left us on 83-6 before Shrew joined Lutto and finished things off.

Tea was taken at the end with a beer as the game was done by 4pm. A very good bowling and fielding display lead to an important 25 points.