Game Two, Hangovers, moaning and stretching

Sunday

After the strange experiences of the previous days game, it was good to see a decent wicket with a top looking pavilion when we arrived at Northwood Cricket Club for a midday start.

The evening before had seen the Sunday team need whipping into some drinking efforts by the youthful Mr Devitt. First couple of hours where spent with the posh at cowes following a massive sailing event but eventually we retired back to ryde for a bit more of what we had come to expect.

A second 2.30 night out was taking its toll as we took to the field in the sun. A second very windy day saw Bartlett take an early wicket to bring in a very hung over Zimbabwean who proceeded to batter us around the park. With only ten in the outfield, special praise goes to Mr Green who rolled, tumbled, thumped, scraped and generally bounced around the outfield proving a little hangover clearly works wonders on his timing.

Elstead battled through with most bowling. Mr Lee, Carter & Young all put in impressive figures with most catches going to hand. Northwood finished forty overs with 238 on the board for five wickets.

Hangovers + three hours in the field + second game in two days = a batting line up that looked like a soup kitchen queue rather than a set of pure breed athletes but nonetheless Lincoln & Carter set about getting stuck in. Pete, the "sweep" Lincoln scored a fantastic 73 using just one shot, frustrating our hosts no end. Carter fell cheaply, Whilding showed some class and Devitt spanked a beauty out of the ground before being overwhelmed by his age. Bartlett swung like a man possessed and scored 58 from 30 balls losing balls left right and centre but all to no avail. With Young left to carry his bat, Elstead scored 203 all out, a bloody good effort and a great game to finish our 2012 tour.

Nick B