Sunday August 6th and the dawn of a new era for TMG, for it was this day our intrepid cricketers played their first game playing out of our new HQ The Park Crescent. Maybe it was this or Pride the day before but our heroes produced a performance fitting our pub upgrade. 

The team looked strong with Adam being joined by debutant Struan who turned out to be a more than useful all-rounder and a thoroughly decent fella (he flies planes you know). Missing our leading wicket taker and stand out bowler Diamond did not dissuade Skip from taking one look at a very green and slightly soggy wicket and asking Southwick Wanderers to bat on winning the toss. 

It was like old times with the Overlord and the Undertaker taking the new ball, in fact it was much better because we were both pulled off (leave it Ricky) after two overs each with Southwick at 7-5. To be fair it was a wicket you would be happy to bowl on and I can’t help wondering what mayhem would have ensued if Diamond had been bowling. 

With our departure, on came grizzled veterans OBE Partridge and the Silver Shadow. Richard bowled well but didn’t fully inflate and got pulled by Hyde who hit the ball hard on a couple of occasions. When he did get it right and found the edge we were taken back to the golden era of silent comedy. Think Keaton, Arbuckle, Lloyd or Chaplin – masters of their art. My eyes are not what they used to be and I have a deep fear of the ball coming to me so knowing I had the brilliant Bumbo only 20 feet away I called his name but to no avail, circling like a middle-aged man scared to drop the ball I managed not to by getting nowhere near it.  

Anyway, more importantly at the other end was Tel bowling as well as I can remember, it was a pleasure to watch as he bowled a couple of balls that would grace any first-class match. His 4-15 and the wicket of Hyde no more than he deserved. Special mention to Adam for taking a superb catch when to be fair he had no right to and Struan for looking like a proper leggy in his one over. Southwick all out for 53. 

We didn’t take tea which was a right result as Southwick didn’t do any, in the chase of a low total but stranger things have happened, well they have to Ricky but I digress. Biff and Adam opened and Southwick’s young quick attack came at us hard but both openers dug in and saw off the new ball with Biff going in the ninth over with the score on 25 so job done. Struan joined Adam and played a quick cameo word up before Alex joined Adam to see us over the finish line.  

Back to HQ by 4.30 and some well-deserved beers with an array of DJs playing in the pub. I hope every Sunday is like this. DFWTMG 

Statto’s update: “Same day stats – yes the game really did end that quickly…
Not a lot to report on in the season’s batting as we were only set a target of 55 to win – Adam top scored (24*) and has an impressive average of 71.
More to report in the bowling. Unsurprisingly in skittling a team for 54 we saw some season’s best individual bowling figures DD 3-1, Shadow 4-18, yours truly 2-5.
The catching is wide open with 3 Greysmen currently on 5.
In the lifetimes EO’s odds are lengthening in the race to 400 wickets as DD chips away at his lead.“