AND BREAKING NEWS WHICH WILL SHOCK THE WORLD!!!
After an absence of 3 years the Rioteers ventured back to the idyllic village of Appleshaw.
Due to a the Hillier family party, an early start was made at 1pm for a 30 over bash with wides counting as 2. (This proved to be a factor with wides bowled by Appleshaw being the highest score of 33 in the Rioteers innings).
The visitors decided to bat first. Bickers was pulled off kicking and screaming after 10 overs having only amassed a painfully slow 13.
The innings then progressed assuredly with Cook and Bertie H retiring at 30. Wickets fell steadily but not quickly enough for the pinch hitter Brazier snr to reach the crease having been unfairly put at 10 (last man – as a Nipper Hillier pulled out last minute due to woman pressure – is he a man or a mouse??).
187 was the final score – it could have been more.
After several strawberry and cream scones the Rioteers staggered into the field. B & A Hilliers opened up somewhat waywardly until they took advice from the senior pro standing at mid on and ignored their father. Appleshaw wickets started to fall regularly and apart from Hill and Hughes who both retired at 30, the Appleshaw men fell cheaply. Both the retirees returned but the task was too great and the hosts finished all out on 164 in the last over (not withstanding 2 expensive overs from Bickers) well short of the target.
So the Rioteers came away victorious, their 4th win this season on the bounce.
This match also saw the end of an era with Braz snr deciding to hang up his bowling boots for a final time. His bowling record of approaching 450 wickets is second only to Peter (Tiles) White over a bowling career stretching back 40+ years. [Let’s hope this decision is not final – Ed.]
He intends in future to concentrate on his batting and add to his 3300 career runs with a record not outs of nearly 150 innings. [Let’s hope this decision, also, is not final – Ed.]
Bring on the Newport in 2 weeks time.