Zed's Diary
Follow our new 3rd Team skipper on his journey onwards and upwards. From humble beginnings with the A Team, Zed has now assumed charge of the 3rds. With the 2nd team captaincy next in his sights Zed continues his journey to the top.

NELSON 2nds 267-7 ACCRINGTON 2nds 227-8

The Nelson 2nd 11 came to visit us dressed in smart tie, shirt and trouser combinations for their fixture. They walked passed Immy who was clad in scouse tracky bottoms, a 'Gazza' style shell suit top from the early 1990's and the latest imported 'ABBIBAS' trainers from the the sub continental style capital, Karachi..... Frankly he looked like a Nigerian prisoner on day release! but little did they realize that underneath this 'Rab C Nesbitt' exterior lay a dormant Lion waiting to roar on the cricket pitch. As the match proceeded the only roaring this particular lion did was in the toilet!

The cricket began with us losing the toss and fielding. Nelson's approach was aggressive from the start as they brought up 50 inside 10 overs and at the halfway mark were dangerously poised at 104-2 off 25 overs. Bowling changes were made to try and break up Nelson's momentum, and if anything the changes helped propel the the scoring rate even further!. Little Saj was economical as ever and had the best figures for the home side, he bowled unchanged in his 14 over spell which only went for 45 runs for 1 wicket. The day wasn't without drama as young Saggy tried to make 'love' with the concrete slabbings on the boundary in a vein attempt to cut off a four and had to pay a visit to the hospital after his first 'semi'! .Even the rampaging bull Toff 'the donner kebab kid' Khan couldn't do much with the ball as the remaining bowlers went for around about 6-8 runs an over. Nelson ended up on an imposing 287-7 aided by some slack ground fielding and the occasional dropped catch.

Our reply began in style, as big Sajj with his trade mark Rupert the bear floppy hair set about the bowling with a flurry of boundaries and in no time we reached 49 before Andy Greenwood departed for a 'quickfire' 3. Immy was sent in at 3 as a pinch hitter and accidentally flicked the 3rd ball he faced for a six (joking it was a a brilliant shot) He was out for 13. In came Toff to the crease and straight away lashed out at the bowling, like a pregnant 'hippo' feasting on half volleys and short pitched deliveries. In partnership with Saj the two of them managed to take the score to 160-2 and we required 127 off the last 14 overs when Saj departed for a superb 79 (his third consecutive 50).

At this stage with wickets in hand we had a small chance, however two spells of rain ended any realistic hopes for a victory as we lost out on 5 overs and only 20 runs were taken off the total during the break. We now required an unlikely 107 off 10 overs. Our batters still went for it and Toff brought his 50 up before he tried one boundary to many and was bowled. Saggy with one hand plastered managed to blast a quickfire 30 off only 13 balls and we managed to take the score to 227-8. With two bonus points from the match not all was lost. It was a good effort in the end and the batting over the last few matches has been showing signs of great improvement and solidity.