"Biggles"

Everyone should have a nickname. And a hobby. That's my mantra. The world would be a nicer place believe me. Quite a few of the Canfield horde have them (nicknames, not hobbies); Bretty, The Chair, Gus, Clint, Panther and some have abbreviated first names that do much the same job - like Ali, J and Chas. Whilst on the subject I have an amusing tale about a nickname. In 1986 when I was a mere babe-in-arms market researcher I changed jobs and, I know you won't believe this, but I was pretty shy back then: wouldn't say boo to a goose. Took me a while to crawl out of my shell at my new company. Anyway, after a couple of months I was in the pub on a Friday lunch time and the department was talking about nicknames and Lara, the office go-fer turned to me and said "Did you know you have a nickname, Jon?" Buoyed by this as some important right of passage and a sign of acceptance I asked what my new moniker was. "Wanker" she said.

Paul Lucas needs a nickname. We've been here before but haven't quite cracked it. But after Saturday he deserves one. What a great game he played. A catch (off my bowling - always helps get a blog mention), a wicket and a great rear-guard action batting at number 9 where he gets his highest ever score and, with JW (another nickname - see we all have them) survives over 10 overs to protect our last wicket and so earn a not-at-all-well-deserved draw, only to be bowled with 14 balls left. Bugger. It was a mighty effort and we were mighty impressed. Well played sir.

I won the toss and put The Flitch (careful how I spell that) Pilgrims in to bat on a damp but drying wicket. We know this lot of old. Terribly, terribly nice chaps. But just as our battles with foreign foes are won on the playing fields of Eton, so village cricket matches in Essex are won on the beautiful cricket pitch at Felstead public school, this team representing the best of their 1980s Alumni. We bowled well and they made 202 in 34 overs - we skittled them out but they batted positively at 6 an over. Wickets for Priest (2), Ross (1), Lucas (1), Potter (2), Halls (1) and the Chair (1) - they only had 10 players. Our highlight was Charlie's super diving catch at cover (off my bowling - ta matey) - another great catch in successive games for The Big Girls Blouse.

The pitch was damp and the outfield slow. We knew they had made a good score. We would have to bat well and for them to bowl badly after tea. Both these didn't happen.

Ali and Guss opened the batting at a truly glacial pace with the bowling pitched up and straight. We were behind the rate when the first and then the second wickets fell. If I tell you Guss top scored with 25 you'll know the rest. Jamie, The Chair and me scored zip between us, exposing the rest of the team. We had yet to reach double figures. Enter Paul, closely followed by JW and they pushed, probed, defended and nicked it about. Paul played some good cricket shots and JW had a good forward defensive. We thought they'd hold out. We knew our luck must be in when the ball hit the stumps and the bails jumped in the air and landed back on the stumps! This must be our day. But when Lynda, Paul's wife, got all excited andwent to fetch her camera to photo her hero out in the square I knew we were tempting fate...

A great game tho'. Close, tense, fun and played in a chirpy but informal atmosphere. We will welcome the Pilgrims back next year and.. they will beat us again whilst being terribly nice about it. I will wear my Class War t-shirt next year.

Man of the Match: Paul Lucas
Champagne Moment: The ball-defying bails (thanks bails)
Mug of the Match: Clint - for nearly getting timed out when his turn to bat because "I was putting a new number plate on my car" - with his pads on - as you do

Thanks to Lynda and Paul for doing a first class tea. Next week, we are AWAY to Lindsell, 2pm start. Another tough game. I do seem to recall being a touch scathing about them in my blog last year ("Chin Up, Lindesll!) - I wonder if they will remember? It will be good to see my old mate Sniper again.

Right, back to Paul has his nickname. What do we know about him? Well, he flies planes in his spare time and he played a heroes innings, so how about... Douglas Bader? Ha-ha.

Biggles it is.

Good week everyone.

Preacherman