Playing Edmonton is always a great day and guarantees the batsmen a chance of getting a personal best.  It also, inevitably, proves to be a talking point for days to come.  Once again Rosaneri posted a good score and once again we lost it in the field.  Our bowling – as a whole – was well below par and 46 extras (including 25 wides) meant we never really had a chance.  If we added in the misfields we probably gave away about 80 runs.

Taking to the field to defend a total against Edmonton is a bit like being a dance troop in the final of Britain's Got Talent – you'd like to think you’ve got a real chance but in reality you know your just there for a great day out.

When we next travel to Edmonton CC we need to make a serious decision.  We either play one of their lower teams, or we play out of our skins in the field and with the ball.  There is no shame in losing to a better side, and Edmonton – this year and last – are probably just a bit too good.

One thing we can work on is the extras – too many wides and too many leg side deliveries resulted in us effectively giving the opposition another Daddy batsman. Who wouldn’t be happy with 46 to their name?

G Bell

Continues to look solid in the openers role.  Out LBW for 1 after starting to look solid against a fast opening bowler.  Struggled with the gloves and did not keep to his usually high standards – although a lot of this was due to wayward and leg side bowling.

Slaps

Didn’t get off to the best of starts when he messed up his first job by losing the toss!  That was his last mistake though and he batted for an effortless 92, before being stumped trying to up the tempo.  Didn’t give a single chance before his stumping and looked a real class act.  Did well in the field and with his bowling changes, although it proved a struggle to keep the troops motivated.

Bloater

Out for just 6 and did not have a great deal to do in the field – Andy will be first to admit this was a wasted pass.

Ben

Another LBW victim – out for 10, but does look to show glimpses of great shots.  Needs to stop backing away and get more in line with the ball – ideally with his bat though, not his pads!!  Fielded well.

Shell

Adopted Jims 15 ball rule and hit a few crisp 4's before putting one straight to mid off.  His 2007 form still eludes, although a classic cover drive showed what he is capable of.  Fielded well and saved a definite 4 with a sharp diving stop late on.

Tony

Run out for 10 but as with the Tendring game, would have been well in if he had grounded his bat.  Prior to his dismissal he played a few classic defensive shots and clipped the ball off his legs well.  Had a mare in the field – made all the worse by the fact that he was fielding behind the dodgy artifical strip and the fact that the ball seemed to follow him around.  To top his day he held a tricky chance off their daddy batsman, only to see that the umpire had called a no-ball.

Mat

Batted well and hit a nice straight six.  Bowled with fire and pace, but no luck.  Again failed to get a wicket, but with every game looks to be getting nearer and nearer to a big haul.  Fielded well.

Jimmy Mitchell

Looked classy with the batted and struck the ball cleanly before being stumped for 9 whilst trying to up the pace.  His bowling was erratic at first, but he soon settled into his rhythm and took 1 for 42, which was decent enough.  This was not Jimmy at his best and there is plenty more to come!!

 Cuz Shewring
One word for Steve with the bat – Botham.  Hit a stunning 61 not out which included an amazing 7 sixes.  This is Steve’s best ever score, and having seen it from the umpires viewpoint it was just sheer class.  Never looked like getting out and, had this been a 50 over game, I would have put money on him getting a ton.  Bowling was not his best, but still ended up with 1 for 55. 

Marcus

Another who has adopted the 15 ball rule and he looked far too good to be batting at 10.  Supported Cuz well and scored a timely 25.  Bowled when the pressure was on and got walloped for 21 of his one and only over.  Took two good catches to maintain interest for the fielding team.

Sindrey

Did not bat.  Bowled with his usual fire and pace and picked up another two wickets to add to his tally.  Could have had three, but put down a caught and bowled effort – criminal.  Fielded well but needed to be reminded of his fielding position a little too often.  Took a great catch in the deep, only to stumble back over the line and carry the ball for 6.

Paul’s other contribution was to further the calls for clear and concise instructions on the etiquette of headwear - it is ok to wear a baseball cap back to front, it is not ok to do likewise with a cricket cap whilst fielding at third man - surely a club fine must follow?