Win maintains top spot for 2's

Niffy 2's entered week 4 on top of the Division 4 East table and only a good performance would keep them there as Bharat Sports were the visitors to fortress Basset Avenue. The skipper wanted to bat 1st on a wicket that he felt wasn't going to get any better and even though the Bharat skipper won the toss the skip got his wish as inserted the Niffy to bat 1st. Badger and Gardner opened the batting and Si looked in good touch in getting off the mark with a trademark cut down towards the pavilion. However shortly after Badger tried to repeat the same shot but with the ball not getting up as much as he expected he chopped on to his stumps. Gardner was ticking along nicely at the other end as Smig joined him at 3 until he tried to pull a shortish delivery and he again chopped on to she stumps. Macca was in at 4 and got off the mark with a delightful late cut for 4 but he didn't last long either as he sliced a full toss to point. Niffy were wobbling at this stage at 57-3 and that soon became 67-4 as Garry chipped one back to the bowler to leave niffy in a spot of bother. Waggon was in at 6 but was again triggered LBW for the second time this season but fair play to him, he took it well......

Bharat were well on top at this stage as niffy reached 70-6 with Waggon's dismissal but cue Tom Muggleton to do what he does best - smashing the ball to all parts in his own unique way. Muggo combined superbly with Gardner who was still playing well at the other end as they looked to take the game back to Bharat and they put on 33 runs in quick time until Gardner was bowled for a patient 31. Loomsy joined Muggo as he continued his assault on the Bharat bowlers until he was stumped for a quick fire 34. Loomsy's vast cricketing experience then shone through as he ran the singles well with Si Page as they looked to get Niffy up to a decent total. He was there at the end of the innings as the not out batsmen with a valuable 22* and he managed to shepherd the tail up to a total of 154 all out. Whilst not a massive score it at least gave Niffy something to bowl at on what was a tricky wicket to bat on.

Waggon took the new ball and he was firing on all cylinders as he ripped out the opener's off peg with an absolute Jaffa in his first over. He then had the other opener LBW in his second over as Bharat slipped to 10-2. Slight controversy then reigned as Bharat's number 4 took on Gardner's jelly arm at mid on and as he sprinted to make his ground he diverted into Ajmal as he finished his follow through. Much to everyones surprise Gardner secured a direct hit and as the batsmen complained of obstruction the umpire sent him on his way. The collision was accidental and was just one of those unfortunate things, but it did work in Niffy's favour. Waggon then got his 3rd wicket as he snicked off the number 3 and by this stage Niffy felt like they were well on top. Bharat's skipper dug in and started to rebuild until he smashed Loomsy straight to Garry at extra cover. Half way down at 5 wickets in the hutch Si Page took over from Waggon and with the help of Matt Sharpe they set about securing the win for the Niffy. Matt continued his good early season form and although he didn't take a wicket, he tied down an end and built the pressure on Bharat. Pagey then went about methodically breaking down the remaining batsmen's defences at the other end as he finished with 4-27 and secured a 2nd win of the season for Niffy, as Bharat were all out for 119.

Credit must go to Gardner and Muggo as there 30's with the bat along with Loomsy's steady 22*got us up to a defendable target. Then Waggon showed his class with the ball to get Niffy off to the start that they needed and Pagey, Loomsy and Sharpey then all got in on the act to contribute to a well deserved win.

Smig