That’s more like it…

With a much depleted squad the early signs indicated this one was going to be tough. And so it proved with a hard fought match going right to the wire. In only the second innings The Bangers were crippled / enhanced (depending on which way you look at it) by the loss of our inspirational talisman Charles Astwood. Leading by example and putting his body on the line he attempted to stop a slug at short stop, broke a finger and was unable to take any further part in the game, reduced to guzzling pimms on the sideline and mumbling words of encouragement to his troops.

The game started well for The Bangers picking up 5 in our first innings and shutting out the oppo (can’t be bothered to keep typing AMVB BB…) in their first two. Our first base replacement and debutant Edmund Hulme, standing in for the absent Ned Spires, showed a safe pair of hands and proved that being pretty unreliable on a cricket pitch had no relation what so ever to a fielding performance on a softball field.  This decent start was almost thrown away as the Bangers let the oppo back into the game thanks to some sloppy fielding and poor shot selection. The game was drifting towards a tight finish and at the start of our 6th innings could easily have gone either way. A massive batting team effort with notable high scoring home runs from Robbie ‘coach’ Maynard and Allwyn Fernandes plus a debut slug from Buchanan-Dunlop saw The Bangers build a lead of 7 going into the final innings. It was a good final effort from the oppo but a steady hand from Fernandes saw us home to victory by just two runs.

On a night full of fine individual performances the managerial panel once again had a tricky job in picking the London Eating In Association With Beechwood MVP meal for two award winner. Standout performances included another top all round effort from Fernandes and some great slugging from Robbie Maynard but this weeks award was somewhat controversially given to the folically challenged, but not apparently on the softball field, Edmund Hulme for a fine solid debut performance with both bat and glove. A begrudging congratulations to Edmund on your meal for two at a Little Chef of your choice.

Quote of the day:

“If you don’t want to play the game stay at home.” Allwyn Fernandes’ reply to a poor oppo lady being tagged and bundled to the ground on first base by a guy three times her size!

Home Runs: Fernandes 2, Buchanan, Maynard

Catches: Astwood D

Drops: Buchanan-Dunlop, Fernandes