I didn't know if I was playing but after playing well for the 3rds the week before I fancied my chances, but my Dad came and told me I'd be playing for the opposition, which I was really disappointed about. I met their captain, his name was Nick, who had won the toss and chose to bat, he smelt of apples and smoke but he told me I would be batting at number 8, that was the highest I had ever batted so I liked Nick. LSCC were a funny lot, they were constantly at the bar topping up their apple and would take the piss out of their players at any opportunity. They opened the batting with Smithy and Twisty, Smithy was out first for not many, then Gregs was out for a duck, I later realised Gregs was Nick, who was nice so it was a shame he was out and also called kit boy for the rest of the day. Twisty's batting was lame, he was in for ages and hardly got any and my mate Josh (aged 10) got him out which was cool. Then Clarkey and Si were in and they were hitting Josh all around the park for 4s and 6s, which wasn't cool for Josh. Clarkey got 41 in next to no time and was then out, he then disappeared for a while, he decided to go and change his tyre mid innings, it really was turning out to be an afternoon of firsts. Si was joined by his brother Alex, and continued to hit the ball around but was eventually caught for 35, my chance to bat was edging nearer and nearer, it was so exciting. Alex was then joined by Sparkey and they then batted for ages and every time Sparkey hit a run all the team cheered, I was told they were ironic cheers, but I didn't know what that meant. Eventually after putting on 86 Sparkey was out for 35, but more importantly it was my turn to bat, I couldn't hide my excitement as I put my helmet on. I went out to bat with Alex who was batting well and had past his fifty hitting 6s and 4s regularly, but he hogged the strike, he smelt of apple too and kept saying "Why isn't he batting at 11?". Alex was eventually out for 84 and I batted till the end and was 5 not out, it was great, we, sorry, I mean LSCC got 246 off their 40.

I sat with my Dad at tea and watched in ore of LSCC, I'd never seen a cricket team eat so much and I'd certainly never seen someone go back for 4ths.

We, sorry, LSCC took the field and opened the bowling with a big bear of a man called Martin, he bowled rubbish, far too short and was hit for loads of runs. At the other end was another big bloke, Tom, he bowled spin and bowled well, turned it as well, but I don't think he liked me as I dropped a catch of him. Tom took two wickets in his spell, but the second wicket brought to the crease Bitton's really good batsmen, who I was told looks like Nick Nolte, but I don't know who he is. Nolte then scored freely with the remaining opener and Bitton were cruising to victory with poor Sparkey getting hit about the place a lot, Nick, my friend, let me have a bowl which was great. With Bitton on 150-2 Nick took me off, but I had bowled 3 overs though, and brought on Twisty, who turned the game bowling quick and accurate and hurt the opener with a bouncer. Our luck, sorry, LSCC's luck then changed, Nolte went to hit Sparkey for another six and was caught by big Tom on the boundary, the remaining opener, still in pain then was caught by big Martin off Twisty and LSCC were after victory. Sparkey took another couple of wickets and then Nick brought me back on, I was delighted, and I took the last three wickets with Bitton bowled out for 204, my last wicket was the idiot who plays for us in green plus fours and is obviously over weight.

I really enjoyed my afternoon and LSCC were really nice, although a lot of them did smell of apple, and they did deserve to win, thanks Nick.

Andrew