At last a game of cricket - and a real game of cricket at that! Black & Decker once again proved excellent hosts at the pleasant Wickersley ground.
The first really competitive game in memory, with good performances with the bat, ball and in the field. Winning the toss and batting, Firps at last made a decent start with much more urgency. The run rate was 4 an over after the first 10, almost 5 by half way and virtually 6 by the end of 40 overs. Mark Banister's century (the first Firps ton since computerised records began I believe) underpinned the total, with notable selfless contributions from Mark Cross and Jason Hutchinson keeping the scoreboard rattling along.
A double wicket maiden opening the Black & Decker innings boded well, but despite losing wickets, the pugnacious opposition kept around about the asking rate. Excellent fielding with good catches and run outs meant that wickets could be the problem for the opposition.
In a bold move, the skipper brought his opener back on to shut down the scoring and left Black & Decker needing 10 an over from the last eight. Despite B&D's opener almost making a century himself, Old Firps' closing bowlers saw out the game and Firparnians ran out worthy victors by almost 50 runs.
P.S. Got a nice email from Glynn of Black & Decker thanking us for a great game. I've posted it on the message board.
OFCC Records