[themaclad]

The optimistic talk of promotion at the nets on Friday was rudely interupted by a hammering on the Saturday. Originally we were down to play Vernon Varus IV but Covid rules have meant they wll not be competing this season as clubs are not allowed to play two matches at the same ground on different pitches, somting to do with not having 44 players within coughing distancce of each other, nonsense really.
The fixtures were re arranged we were due to play Penwortham iv away at Bretherton, however we ended up playing them on our own lovely patch of ground.
The Pavillion is in a worst state than usual the paint is peeling off the walls, however we cannot use it until mid June so we all arrived changed and it's bring your own teas.
A quirk of fixtures meant we had no first team game therefore had 5 first teamers in the squad safe to say there were slight murmurings of discontent but with a pool of rich talent to pick from some will be unhappy.
We were going to bat first if we won the toss however we lost the toss and were put in.
A quiet start we were in control for four balls before Mr Minshall was bowled by the fifth, by the time Messers Duffield, Webster M, Clayton,Luxton, Rawcliffe and Webster C were gone we had managed to stagger to the alarming score of 12-7. Yours truly and Mr Richards offered a modicum of resitstance facing 50 balls, Top scored with a magnificent 5 , Mr Richards on 4 not out. To leave us with the almighty total of 23 all out.
Gheewala finished with 6-2 bowled a bit like Waqar Younis early on, late swinging toe crushing yorkers, Consterdine 2-9 had the useful head high beamer followed by a yorker a canny combination. Roebuck 2-6 saw of the last two.
So minutes silence for the Duke of Edinburgh before just under 6 overs later we were leaving teh pitch having lost by 10 wickets

http://palaceshield.play-cricket.com/web...ts/4584712

We go again against Walton le Dale on Saturday