Merlin back in action after last week's damp Dinton victory. A trip to Hunt's Farm to play St. Cross - often close fought encounters. Not only did Merlin have XI there was also an outbreak of summer, a cracking afternoon in store. With Captain & Vice not to be seen, turn the clock back 30 years and yours truly stepped up to lead the side. Merlin welcomed Ken Morrison once more, Del Kelly, and Danny Charett into the team. The wicket looked a bit woolly (or is that Woolley see pic) toss won and home side inserted, 35 overs agreed, retire at 50, but allowed back in if 9th wicket falls.

Wood & Symonds opened, the first few overs passed with a few good balls and a good few loose balls. Wood had ex-Merlin player Ram trapped in front and Symonds removed number 2, ct Basi, after an earlier drop. Del replaced Wood and his miserly spin soon reaped dividends. Basi a second catch and a bowled, the home side rocking. Talk of running through them was soon quashed by the skipper, now, now, they bat down the order.

Symonds finished his 7 overs with a good return of 1-15, but his day was far from over...

Ollie, number 4 for St Cross was slowly building a score while wickets were falling. Danny took over and bowled a reasonable spell but began to tire, 4 overs 0-30, well done Danny, hope to see you again when you can walk. Self appointed captain of vice, Lee continued to assist Wood with field settings, a trap was set, mid on, 2 short mid on's, cover, extra cover, it couldn't happen surely? Yes it did, 4 balls later Seal takes the catch, hook, line and sinker. Wood then took a skier, Del finishing with 4-35. Seal polished off the tail 2-43, Ollie having retired , returned ending not out 75.

Game on.

Josh continued with his number 1 slot with Jake. Both looked comfortable before Josh fell to a brilliant 1 handed catch at 1st slip for 10. Jamie went in 3, looked ok but fell for 6, Merlin 52-2, Sean joined Jake who looked in fine form. Unfortunately Sean fell for 4, Emmer, having had a life edged one to slip, out for 8, this was compounded with Jake retiring for 50, super effort, but leave your pads on.

Lee looked in good nick, 3 boundaries to the good, but triggered by Jamie for 14, ummm!! Ken and Danny chipped in, but both out for 7 and 5 respectably. 142-5, 7 overs remain...

The two key bowlers have now become the two key batsmen. Del playing the anchor, Jamie S going for his shots. A crucial 30th over and 13 off the bat, 159, 9 off the next , but only 3 off the 32nd, 171-7 The tension was mounting. Symo was unperturbed as the score reached 177, 2 overs left, 2 more boundaries in the 34th and Merlin were pretty much home and dry. 1 needed off the last, duly arrived off the 2nd ball, with another boundary.

What a victory, Del ending 22no and Jamie S 30no. A great afternoon's cricket, everyone chipped in with something. A well-earned pint or two as the teams headed for the Goat, closed on a sunny Sunday evening, WTF! Turn round to the Duke on the Test, a decent Pub.

Well done all, see you in 30 years!!
Woody