Skipper in a Spin

Ola,

I pen this weeks blog having missed the past two matches whilst holidaying in sunny Cadiz (SW Spain) - the melanoma capital of the Med'. I'm not a big fan of summer holidays and tend to take work and the now obligatory Blackberry with me. And something always happens whilst away from the shop - every year and without fail. This time, Charlotte, my MD phoned to say our Financial Director had resigned. If this isn't aggro enough I then hear that the team selection shenanigans this past fortnight have been down to me - whilst out of the country. Blame the absent captain why don't you.

Can't say I was too sad to have missed the Lindsell game, but well bowled chaps! Ha-ha. You clearly missed your leg spinner - or so I thought. All I have heard since my return is how much turn the part-time spinners got in the following game against Hainault (where you had 12 players - well done Angus). Bomber, Harry and Bretty all turning it miles apparently. Hmm. There's only one King of Spain -time to reclaim my crown.

So against Bishop Stortford U10s on Saturday (okay u15s+colts+others) I deliberately let every other bowler go first. Then, in the last few overs with out attack clearly struggling, I'll put myself on and bowl 3-4 overs, snare as many wickets and nonchalantly glide off the park exchanging knowing glances to our part-timers. It never worked out like that.

Stortford won the toss and elected to bat on a drying pitch, which was fine by me. Their young and very pleasant team notched up 191. Well done Charley Potter for (finally) grasping the principles of control and off a shorter run-up got 3 well earned wickets and a catch off Ali. Well played. Jamie got 2 wickets and Steve bowled a very accurate and clever spell and was rewarded by a wicket courtesy of Johhny Slowman's catch at cover. And Robert Halls got another wicket! But there were still a few wickets remaining, so hail the return of the King of Spain. I bowled like a prat and from the wrong end at a time when they were hitting out. Serves me right. I was particularly impressed by my first ball that (honestly) stuck to my hand as I delivered it only to see it bounce 2 feet down the pitch... I never recovered. That's the real reason I hate holidays. Lack of practise you see...

Canfield won at a canter by 5 wickets with 6 overs in hand, thanks to Andy D's brilliant 102 no. And I just know what the rest of the team were thinking when I was batting with Andy. Fellas -it was always in hand. I could do the math (GCSE A*). Well done Andy\-\the skipper helped him home.

So let the record show a winning return for the Captain and a 5th victory of the season, with us all resplendent in our new shirts and club caps.

Man of the match: Andy Davies

Mug of the match: The Skipper

Thanks to Potter junior (and Mary for lending the lad a hand) for doing tea.

Now some house notices. Congratulations to Jonnny Slowman and Pat Hepburn on their A levels and for getting into their 1st choice uni's. We wish them well as they fly the nest. Well done to Mitch Cooper for his AS level results and also to Verity Priest for passing her GCSEs. I owe her a lot of money.

Next week we entertain Bairds at home, 1.30pm start please.

Right, back to my my holiday iPod selections. Any Johnny Cash fans?

six foot six

he stood on the ground

he weighed two hundred and thirty five pounds

but I saw that giant of a bat brought down

to his knees by ... spin

he was the kind of bat that would gamble on luck

look you in the eye and never back up

but I saw him crying like a little whipped pup

by the power of ...spin

you cant pick it with your eyes

back of the hand

take your world

and turn it all around

every since time nothings ever been found

that stronger than...spin

(Thing Called Love, J. Cash, J. Cash Records - with usual apologies)

Leave spinning to the experts.

See you next week.

Preecher.