Hartest and Coldham Hall CC 195 All Out

Hodge 139, Long 12, R Mellville -Ross 11, Carter 11.

Brockley CC 196 For 5

S Hill 117Not Out, A McCaffery 58.

 I Am I Said....  Except for a few of the name changes the story is the same one...... Neil Diamond Circa 1970s, or if you want the 2016 rendition, copy and paste, meaning I can copy last weeks report change a couple of names and the rest of the report reads the same.

Last week heroic innings from the Captain of 197 not out was this week and no doubt just as good quality, David Hodge 139, who opened with Charlie Long who was second top score of 12.

First of all, well done Hartest and Coldham in getting a team out as last week we only had 4 players so thank you to all who managed to play.

Richard Carter, vice Captain had the full honour of duty with the skipper plus Steve Ryder, [Stag Do] good luck Steve, not long to go now.... won the toss and decided to bat, with Hodge outstanding and making the back bone of the score achieved which ended in the 39th over and with contributions from Rupert Melville-Ross 11, Dickie Pearson 11, plus a scrambled few runs got the total to a very respectable 195.

After tea we had Rupert Melville-Ross open with pace bowling fresh from his exploits from Northern Portugal took three early wickets with Richard Carter donning the keepers gloves and told did very well, whether he can get up tomorrow only his first client will know.

McCaffery and Hill two recognised batsmen took the bowling apart on a pitch like our own Oval, slightly over pitched not on the right line and a very fast outfield the runs were accruing very fast, by the 20 overs Brockley had moved onto 115 for 3 and the pair had gone past the century stand.

Charlie Long changed places with Richard Carter who tried most bowlers he had at his disposal without great success until Oliver Melville-Ross came on and broke the partnership catching McCaffery in two minds, another song title, should I stay or should I go, forward to the ball, in the end he had to go as he was cleaned bowled for 58.

Brockley are a good team and a good bunch of boys but Hill was a class above and hearing he has numerous 50s and centuries was quite easy to believe as he went on past his ton nearly taking out his mum and dad in the pavilion with a thumping six.

Carter who had been behind the stumps and orchestrated the team was rewarded when he managed a "Dave Armstrong" a one handed catch with nonchalant attitude off his own bowling, a smart sharp catch that stuck.

With the ball travelling to most corners of the park the Brockley team reached the score before the 30 over mark and won the game with aplomb leaving Hill on 117 not out.

Well done David Hodge, had a small operation and still turn up to help out plus score a century plus all the guys who played, bit of the Olympic spirit, you know their motto, its not the taking part its the drugs....sorry that's Russia, you know what I mean, well done, we might fast becoming the strongest team but the spirit is still strong, Division three trap door is beginning to open but hey having a team is the main thing and we are not down yet.

Next week we are at home to Cavendish with Mark and Rosie Roberts doing teas which brings me onto a change in that department, we are looking for someone or pair to do teas on the 4th September at home to Long Melford, if you can contact the skipper, that would be cool.

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