17th July Vs Morton Home
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After winning the toss the week before and electing to bat and getting the decision so horribly wrong, the skipper took advise from all team mates. This advise soon became irrelevant as Morton called correctly and inserted Keelby into bat. With Mawer and Bevis missing, the batting order was quite different and a new opening partnership of Bruce Roberts and Andy Sharp was forged. An opening stand of 54 settled the skipper's nerves though perhaps more could have been achieved with a bit more care but it was a credit worthy opening score. Cowie's dogged 12 and Travis' 28 proved valuable foils to Ian Johnson who batted beyond expectation considering this was only his second game of the season. It was a fully deserved half century from Ian Johnson and his batting showed tenacity, patience and thought. Keelby ending on 205 for 7, with Luke Roberts adding 15 but the applause echoed throughout for Ian Johnson's unbeaten 64. Though the batting was pleasing perhaps more could be gleamed from the bowling / fielding performance. An early breakthrough was made by Rick Mclellan but then nerves were put to the test. Morton's Blagg seemed to have the measure of the bowling and looked like steering Morton to a win but Udi Sheikh put smiles on Keelby faces when he got Blagg to hole out to a great Mike Phillip's catch. Once Gladel was caught by Andy Sharp behind the stumps, Mark Wade moved in on the tail. Morton were dismissed for 178 in the 40th over. Mark Wade and Mike Phillips' excellent spells of bowling deserved more whilst one always expects and gets wickets from Udi Sheikh. A good performance which resulted in a much needed win after 2 disappointing results, it proved the 2's have fire in their bellies - which are quite big in some cases!

 

Champagne moment:- Ian Johnson's 50. Not sure how many balls he did this feat in but I did count 2 somersaults and 4 dives into the crease were also required to survive Alan Travis's ambitious calls for runs!