At 12.35 pm there was an unusual sight as the team assembled for their second match. Balls were being lobbed high into the air and some old pot bellied men seemed to be trying to catch them as they soared into a cloudless sky.
Still smarting from the previous weeks drubbing by the humourless South Africans, Crossbats were practicing! Catches win matches? Not necessarily, as our friendly encounter with Yarl showed. I do like playing this team. They are well mannered, like a bit of banter and sledge their own team, in a manner not to dissimilar to ourselves.
Their openers slogged their way to an impressive opening stand of over 100 and we obliged by dropping our usual quota of 10 catches. At the drinks break it was time for a change and Dom the keeper came out from behind the stumps for a bowl, joined by new boy Duncan (mate of Shandy) After some superb tight bowling the pressure started to build and the runs dried up.
We were finally in control and the catches started to come as we held Yarl down to 160 runs off 35 overs. Game on. An early clatter of wickets caused some concern but a partnership of 116 with Wright and Dom Tillson secured the Crossbats position.
Yes that's right, we won.
Retiring to the Turks Head, new player Clive Nicholls endeared himself to his new found friends with a jug of larger and revealing he has some experience as a physio. What perfect qualities to join our team!