Midweek XI beat Network Rail by 31 runs

"Scottish Highland" weather was how Sean Thornton described the weather ahead of Wednesday's R&DCL Div 3 fixture. He was right, too, as the drizzle veered between light and annoyingly light for most of the evening at The Green.
Willoughby won the toss and elected to bat. Newly promoted to opener, Hamish Livingstone, walked out with the ever-reliable Martin Nicholls and began well running several byes before running himself out after a skied shot to extra cover that the fielder watched land 2 feet in front of him but composed himself enough to chuck it back in to the keeper as Hamish hared down the wicket towards an immobile Martin Nichols.
Tom Stevenson joined Bingo at the crease and the two brought the score to 43 before Martin was bowled by Green for 13. Tom carried on with Ben Hollis who couldn't seem to get on strike. He hit a well crafted 27 to push the score on including 2 sixes and a four before he too was bowled by Green. Ben was out in the middle for ages and only managed to score 8 before he too was bowled but only faced 10 balls! Rich Foxon chipped in for an innings top score of 48 before some lazy running saw him run out after calling for a single. Dave Alcock was in sublime form and it was nice to see him making an effortless adjustment to 20/20 cricket smashing a rapid 30 from just 13 balls! 3 more wickets fell for not many runs before the tail dug in for the last over but the Willoughby batsmen had done their jobs well and finished up 164/9 from their 20 overs.
Sean Thornton and Simon Nicholls began the Willoughby attack and just about managed to keep Network Rail below the required run rate for 8 overs as the rain increased in intensity. Martin Nichols joked that he would like to bowl from the shallow end!
Simon Nicholls bowled the two openers in his 1st and 3rd overs but Green (52) was seeing and hitting the ball well and took the score to 95 before Hamish Livingstone took a fine catch at point from the bowling of John Gregson to dismiss him. John bowled the next 2 batsmen for 26 and 17 for a 3 for and Network were only slightly behind on the run rate at 111/5. Up stepped Richard Foxon and under strict orders from his skipper to only bowl outside off stump managed to hit leg stump twice in 2 balls! On a hattrick he decided to go for an LBW but was thwarted as the no.10 dropped his bat in front of his pads. 2 balls later he hit leg stump again, though, for the 3rd of his 3 wickets!
Somewhere in he distance David Alcock had invented a new fielding position. "Deep Long Under Tree." Eventually we coaxed him out of his shelter and his bibbly bobblies quickly finished off Network Rail's efforts as he bowled Alesbrook for 1 and then Hamish took another fine catch to see off the no.11. Network Rail were all out for 133 in 19 overs. An easy win in the end.
Thanks to those of you who helped us out and stuck it out in pretty miserable, damp conditions.
Next week sees the penultimate game of the season when we travel to Oakfield followed by the last game at home as we welcome back Braunston Paddox.