Clumber 2nd XI beaten in season opener

Cricket gives and cricket takes and so it was to be at Wheatley as the 2nds started 2018. The outfield was long and the track low and slow. We batted first and recovered well from 4-2. Me (66no), Ben B (21 and Smithy (21) made good contributions and useful cameos from Rich and Charlie helped us post 149. A useful total we thought.
Smithy got us off to a dream start but then we played in rain for a while and the ball did nowt as Wheatley eased to 60 for 1. With the sun back out and a dry ball, a great spell from Rich (2-19) and a wkt for Simon (during a tight 7 overs in the middle of his spell) helped us squeeze things and the hosts were left needing 70 off 12 overs with 6 wkts left. At this point I'll have to hold my hands up and admit that a tactical decision backfired and things went Wheatley's way with some lusty slogs turning things decisively back in their favour. Hayden (1-39) bowled really well but sadly for us they knocked em off in the final over. A disappointing end but it was an excellent, competitive game played in great spirits. Onward and upward...