The much anticipated “ground share” derby match drew a bumper crowd of….3 supporters to the Alvechurch ground.

There was some confusion over the start time of the match, with all of the CCCC team ready for a 1pm start. However, the carrier pigeon that was relaying the start time message to the Alvechurch team was unfortunately shot down - somewhere over Barnt Green.

The delayed arrival of the Alvechurch home team meant that CCCC were able to deal with the outstanding matter of Gumbo’s appeal against a fine that was imposed on him during the last match. Gumbo is the first player ever to seek a review of a fine decision and club rules state that if you are daft enough to risk an appeal, and lose, then the fine is doubled. We won’t bore our reader with the exact details of the fine and the appeal, but needless to say Gumbo lost by 7 votes to 2. Full details of the case can be viewed in the legal case law dictionary under “Dumbleton v Chirstchurch CC (2018)”

Following a heated argument over which team had the home dressing room the game eventually began at 1.45pm.

Gumbo put aside his disappointment over the fine appeal and possible bankruptcy as a result, to see off the useful opening Alvechurch bowlers. He had borrowed Merry’s bat and found it to his liking with a splendid array of shots on his way to 54. Run machine Oz made 37, which is decent for any other player on any other occasion. However this dented his season average, which previously stood at over 100.

Nobby came to the wicket at number 4, with a pocket full of cash, in order to “buy a run” following a poor run of form at the Alvechurch ground. Unfortunately for him, that is exactly what he got…. 1 run…. before being dismissed by the spin bowler for Alvechurch. Mr Lodge.

Merry (48) and Sidders (56 not out) then increased the scoring rate with some powerful hitting and good running between the wickets. The change bowlers for Alvechurch had little in response and the CCCC finished on an impressive 246 for 6 off our 40 overs.

Gumbo (1 for 30) opened the bowling, and his all- round contribution in this game must surely mean he has done enough to earn a place in the side for next season?

Alvechurch’s opener, Mr Beech was by far the best batsman in their side displaying some superb attacking shots on his way to 92. It did appear that the other Alvechurch batsmen were happy to let Mr Beech score the runs for them.

The ever consistent Stuart Merry did what he does so well, and chipped in with 2 wickets for 37. Mark Brenchley then joined the bowling attack, and the speed gun on some of his deliveries reached a high of 3mph. He outwitted 4 of the Alvechurch batsmen into giving him their wickets, including the excellent Mr Beech. James Swords bowled with considerable pace and was very unlucky to come away with just one wicket for 51 runs.

After the dismissal of Mr Beech the result never looked in doubt and despite some late hitting from Mr Howard of Alvechurch (42) they were all out for 198 off the last ball of the match.

Other notable highlights from this week……..

Derek Green got the scorebook to balance!

Another athletic fielding performance from club Adonis, Durgesh Pathak

Matt Osborne’s face - after what sounded like a particularly messy night.

Nobby being hit constantly on the same knee whilst fielding the ball

Terry Gale making strange ghost like noises when he realised the ball was on the way to him in the field. Terry will now be known as “Casper”

James Swords being awarded the nickname of “BIF” This translates as “Bunyard’s Imaginary Friend”

WON BY 45 RUNS