Detail: 11-09-2016 - Tilford


Result: L by 8 wkts
Blues 110 (Rolfe 32, Corcoran 21). Tilford 113 for 2 (Stones 58*). The Blues lost by 8 wkts

Oh dear - the third successive miserable defeat to Tilford. Last year we posted 118 against a very strong Tilford XI. This year, with only three Blues players at the ground at the start time, we were invited to bat first.

The final 10 who batted, including umpire Whelan and late recruit Jeremy from the nearby "Barley Mow" (on leave from his Kurdistan oilfield job), didn't quite reach last year's total. While various Blues supporters, including young Corcs and mum, a bunch of Rolfes with grandparents, new boy Dave Robinson's family, and Alistair's other half, soaked up the September afternoon sun, the Blues struggled to perform against the Tilford attack.

Metto edged one behind, Andy was bizarrely run-out after a mix-up with Das, who was himself then run-out after he was dropped at short cover. Rolfey and Corcs steadied the ship (and put the wind up some of the fifty-odd spectators sitting on the edge of a very fast outfield), but when they were both caught off Tilford's 1st XI bowler it was time to put the life jackets on. Glenn Moore held things together for a while, but when the oilman tried to get the President off the mark with a quick single, a direct hit brought our innings to a close.

After an early and delicious tea, Tilford (who included a mixture of 1st and 2nd XI players) took only an hour to pass our total with new man Barrigan and skipper Corcoran taking one apiece.

It is possible we may not be invited back to this picture-postcard venue, where we have only won once since we started playing there in 2011.

Ronnie

[updated 23 09 2016]