Glorious day for the 3s

Half term always means we're going to be searching for players but searching for a captain is new!
I acquiesced to Graham's pleadings despite not having played for 18 months, though with a middle order of promise; I felt even I could handle this.
Come 12:50 and with five players still to arrive I was trying to stay calm despite G's chivvying me along (thought you were supposed to be at a BBQ??)
Took a nice stroll out to the wicket with the oppo skipper with the double headed coin and fortunately he chose tails?, He said they'd been unlucky in a couple of their games but were playing well, which combined with league positions looked like a good days cricket ? was on its way.
Dillo had mentioned the previous week it'd gone well with fielding first, and with that generally being my preference anyway (and even with 4 players still to arrive), I opted to bowl first just to go cap in hand to their skipper to ask for a delay to the start. Fortunately he was totally OK with it and we started about 10 minutes late with Hillsy in his Saturday finest down at fine leg.

Drew opened the bowling and despite a loosener to begin with, but soon drew the plaudits of his teammates. I took the other end and kept the run rate down pretty well from my 4 overs, before letting loose with the latest Powell ripping through the Vs ranks. Zach picked up a couple of wickets in his tight spell belying his age.
With the oppo scoring slowly, Jamie was unfortunate to be targeted in his first over, but with a change to the field for his next over he settled in to a good rhythm and helped see us to Thames Ditton being 7 down for 80. Nuresh (on loan from Richmond Nomads) at the other end was the pick of our bowling with figures of 8-3-10-2 utilising a short run up and quick delivery.
The arrival of their no.9 TD4thXI gained a little hope; so I turned to Waheed expecting out and out pace to see him slapped around the ground in his first over. Again we shifted the field but their no.9 was on his way to a flirty 50.
The worst part of my day was trying to find an opportunity for Freddie to have a bowl. It was a bit unfair on him to be put in the firing line with their no.9 in full devilment, and his lack of practice showed, though I was delighted for him to pick up a wicket caught by Drew. I then had to tell him I couldn't give him the last over as I couldn't take the risk a) of conceding runs and b) demoralising him in doing so. I probably ended up demoralising him just as much by taking him off!
Chulana took two great catches, Drew was spectacular with his (should be a goalkeeper ... sorry what was that? Oh) and Dillo 'safe hands' the other catch.
Big mention for Ketan behind the stumps awesome job mate, can't see Hillsy getting back in!

And so to the batting. Despite Hillsy advising me to open, I was feeling tired after fielding and I decided so send out Win for the win with Ketan, with the explicit instructions to stay there for a while. Lovely to see them both wanting to be back with lads so quickly! A pattern chosen by Chulana and Roy (Rohit) as well; both showing a little rust ....and a 5 for 4 scoreline ....and a very jubilant oppo.
Their joy was gradually teased away as Waheed and my MOM Nuresh bludgeoned the ball to greener pastures, 90ish and 40ish respectively, and a resounding win.
Thanks lads for a great response both in the field and in the chase. Great spirit.
I hope this wasn't Dillo's last game as he was brilliant in his support from first slip and tidy with his 6 overs. Looked like you had a good evening afterwards as well ?
I omitted my great thanks to David Ritchie for coming down to umpire for us. Greatly appreciated ?