Another Hard Day

The Niffy arrived at T.A. to find the clubhouse locked up with no sign of life, not the best of starts and unfortunately that is how the day progressed. With the skipper losing the toss T.A. choose to bat and the Niffy got off to a great start with joey striking with his last ball of the first over removing T.A's skipper for nought and then Matt Sharpe claiming his first wicket back with Deggs holding a sharp chance in the slips, this thou unfortunately bought Mr Hickman to the crease who was playing only his second game of the season after a falling out with his first team's skipper. What happened over the next 40 overs has to be one of the best batting performances i have witnessed @ this standard of the game, Hickman seemed to have every shot in the book covered and some shots that won't be found in anyone's book, as the ball seemed to find its way to the boundary on numerous occasions. It wasn't until Liam came into the firing line that things went a little better, as he found great lines and flight to earn himself 3 wickets and with joey coming back to bowl another 4 overs at the death to remove 2 more T.A. batsman (inc Hickman for 134) with good variations the Niffy were set a target of 255 to win.
After another fine selection of food put on by Thorpe unfortunately things went down hill, Deggs warming the T.A's skippers hands in the first over, Smig and Matt Mc soon came and went and just as Tom Smith seemed to be getting into the swing of things he to was deceived by a slightly slower ball and went through his shot to early, Pops and Spenno started well but again Thorpe Arnold's bowling attack seemed to hold all the aces, pops chipping one up and spenno getting one to jag back. Nick perished @ the hands of Hickman who had been bought into the attack to try and end the game quickly.
This ment the hawker duo were at the crease together and a little hope was gained as the skipper showed Thorpe's bowlers his huge array of shot's (all 2 of them ) and a 50 run partnership was formed until Hickman re-enteredthe attack bowling spin which proved to good for the skipper who lost his footing trying to avoid the bounce and was stumped for an entertaining 40, Liam was out first ball and then joey perished in the next Hickman over.

So Hickman scoring 134 and taking 4 wickets did make all the difference, The lad was far to good to be playing at that level which is his First team's loss and the Second Team's gain.

Next week we have an interesting game against Market Harborough, Will they have a Team!!!!