2nds off to Winning Start

The season finally got under way this week as Medbourne were the first visitors of the 2018 season to fortress Basset Avenue. The sun was shining as the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a surprisingly decent batting track bearing in mind the recent weather conditions. Niffy got off to the perfect start as Loomsy took the 1st wicket of the game by bowling G Clarke as he looked to whip him off off stump. Ajmal Pullikall was bowling well at the other end in his first game back for Niffy after having a season away and he took the next wicket as he jagged one back through the gate to have J Nance bowled for 20. Sharpey took over from Ajmal from the cow field end and bowled a great spell as he took the wickets of W Matthews LBW and H Clarke caught behind by Badger. Simon Page was as reliable as ever at the other end as he bowled yet another miserly spell and he had J Clarke caught, well held by Matt Sharpe and Badger also took a great catch stood up to dismiss D Butlin. Sharpey finished his spell with figures of 7 overs, 2 for 20 and Simon's figures were 12 overs, 2 for 26. Matt McDonald took over from Si's end to finish up the innings and with Loomsy coming back from the other end between them managed to bring the innings to a close at 136 all out. Macca's final figures of 2 for 35 and Rich Looms 11 overs 2 for 31 rounded off a great bowling and fielding performance from Niffy. Mention must also go to Badger and his keeping as he took 2 good catches, a stumping and a superb run out.

Badger and Tom Gardner opened up the Niffy innings and Badger looked in great touch as he found the boundary with regularity. Tom looked solid at the other end and grafted well to support Badger until he was spectacularly well held by W Matthews off his own bowling for 17. Matt Page joined Badger and looked comfortable until he chased a wide one and snicked off for 14. Waggon was in at 4 but was dismissed shortly after, unluckily adjudged LBW off the leg spin of H Clarke as it pitched outside of leg stump. Simon Garrard was next in at 5 and looked to steady the ship which together with an in form Badger they did brilliantly. Si was extremely patient and played sensibly as he accumulated and gave Badger the strike where possible as he continued to smash the ball to all parts. Si was eventually out for 23 but by this stage together with Badge had put together a partnership of 69 and took Niffy to the brink of victory at 133-4. The Skipper was in at 6 and as the scores were eventually tied at 136, he secured the the 1 run needed for victory, but for the fun of it he decided to run 2 even though the 2nd run didn't count.

All in all a great start to the season and a really positive performance from the boys, especially with it being the first game of the season. Man of the Match was Simon Coombs for an all round superb performance, 72 not out with the bat and 3 dismissals with the gloves and a run out. Hopefully a sign of things to come for Niffy 2's as they head to a confident Great Glen side next week.