Toss won by:

Broadstone

Player/Match:

Males, David

Report:

The new professional era was underway on Saturday as one of Triangle's elite sides travelled to the Delph to play Broadstone. The plan was to arrive at the ground by 1pm so we could embark on a rigorous warm-up session, but traffic and unrealistic travel times meant the first players arrived just after the target time. Alas, the club coach wasn't present, so the assembled players were left to their own devices. Fortunately Stumpy pitched up 20 minutes before the off and blamed his driver, Adam Smart, on losing the way, but this was countered with the accusation that he was only following the directions of a man who had said he'd played at the Delph over 20 times.

By this time a team of 10 stout men were ready for the off, the eleventh was to be Johnny Armfield who Neven is trying to tempt over to the dark side. He eventually found the ground after half an hour's play. Broadstone won the toss and decided to have a bat opening with the veteran Truman and Rogers.

Rogers fell first to a wild slash outside off stump, looping the ball up to cover and the waiting hands of Dr Sammi. The introduction of Armfield's slightly quicker medium pace than Whisker saw two more wickets tumble, as first young Trembath's attempted lofted drive went straight up and was held by Barrett, and he was quickly followed by Goldsack given out lbw.

Morris then had the pleasure of dropping the first catch of the season, which would have been a flat six if he hadn't been in the way and was the cue for Truman to decide he'd let someone else have a bat, retiring on 79. This brought out Hanratty who took great pleasure in first taking apart Proffitt and Laws with some lusty blows. Morris' speculative delivery well wide of off stump almost brought his demise and he should have been caught in the covers, but Sammi uncharacteristically spilled one.

Armfield was brought back into the attack for the final overs and had immediate effect finding the edge of Birrell's bat and the catch was held behind by an ecstatic Neven. A late flurry including a big six off the Sri Lankan sensation saw Broadstone pass 200, with Armfield finally getting Hanratty to hole out in the last over to Morris

A fine tea was followed by Males and Armfield opening the innings. Dave was the epitome of the steady opener, content to dig in while the young charger was left to swing free for the boundary ropes, though he still retained the knack of nudging a single to steal the strike, much to Johnny's annoyance. The youngster was first to go on 20 after building a useful opening partnership of 76 (extras being the main contributor), with Neven giving him lbw, though it looked to be going down the leg side.

A mini-collapse was on as Laws lasted three balls, pushing the ball to gully and the catch was held after some momentary juggling. Smart lasted a couple of overs, including a fine four smashed over extra cover, but was undone attempting a pull shot and was caught at mid on. The skipper lasted just one delivery, beaten by the pitch as a good length ball bounced only a couple of inches, leaving the umpire in no doubt but to raise the finger. Males then struck, running out Dan Strong by calling neither yes or no, but instead ran halfway down the wicket stopped and then continued to the safe end leaving Dan stranded. Sammi briefly entertained the crowds with some hard hit boundaries, including a huge six into the trees, but then top edged a sweep/hook and was caught on the second attempt at deep leg slip for 23.

Prof became Males' second run out victim of the afternoon, called through for a single after hitting it straight to a fielder, before finally getting himself out attempting to hit over the top and was caught on 46 and then claimed he'd only done that to give someone else some time in the middle (this was the 35th over). Whisker and Neven then put on a few runs, with the little guy taking the brunt of the Broadstone attack, hit twice as the bowlers found a bit of lift, nailing him in the ribs and on the hip. Olly was on his way playing all round a straight one bringing Morris to the middle. The score moved onto 158 and into the 40th and final over, when Neven declared he was going to give it a go, charged down the track and ending up yorking himself.