A MESSAGE FROM MICK
A very sincere Thank You for all the cards and messages of support from everyone at Castle Bromwich. It has been a hard and trying time not just for myself but for Sue who has had to really work hard to not only look after me but to do all the things that she has never had to do before! She has even taken the mower to the lawns for the first time in her life!! I hope soon to be back in full time action as it will take more than a maniac with a machete to get me down!
Mick
BIG BIG NEWS - Thirds win first ever game, match report by skipper Muneer:-
Playing Atherstone CC on Saturday on an artificial wicket again...but not as bad as Five-Ways as it had aged a bit so wasn't as slippy. We won the toss and bowled first - Chesney began tremendously getting fantastic bounce and movement off the wicket. We took wickets at fairly regular intervals, eventually bowling them out for 72 runs in around 24 overs.
We decided to slightly reverse the batting order, which went the way I thought it would and after 3 overs we were 5wkts down for 4 runs. Then Imtiaz and Chesney batted well and consolidated the middle of the innings before Taf gave the innings its coup de grace with a fine unbeaten 31. Castle Bromwich winning its first third ever 3rd XI match by 3 wickets.
Given that we had a fair bit of time left we played an additional 11 over "20-20". We batted first and scored 74 runs, Zaheer this time scoring 29 of these in 9 balls. We bowled well until the third from last over, where our bowler, Steve (luke's mate) conceeded 17 runs, leaving Atherstone needing 10 off the last 2 overs with 7 batsmen left. Taff bowled the penultimate and conceeded 6 runs. Atherstone now needed 4 runs to win off 6 balls, Majid in to bowl and he bowls the captain out with his first ball. the new batsman scramble a single off the 2nd ball and suddenly its very tense. However Majid rises to the occasion with accurate bowling leaving Atherstone requiring 3 off the last ball of the match - MA puts everyone on the boundary to prevent a four and Majid comes in to bowl and Luke manages to stump the batsman - Castle have won and cue the explosion of euphoria all round.
Great matches - scenes of joy to live long in the memory.
Freddie's Quiz is back - Look at the Social Page. This weeks quiz features well know Birmingham Landmarks
Day Three now On Tour Page
LEAGUE HONOURS CASTLE BROMWICH
Dave & Dan showed their class as the Warwickshire League beat the Staffordshire XI. Dave kept wicket to a good standard and Dan took two good catches in the outfield, including the Staffs opener for 97, but no mention whatsoever will be made of the catch he threw over his shoulder fot 4! Dan then opened and scored a good 41 before another part time player for Castle Bromwich carried on the good work with an excellent 50 to carry our lads to victory over close neighbours Staffordshire. Congratulations to our players who received League recognition and hopefully this will continue.
THE PROUD COUPLE
Sunday Cricket
There is no Sunday Cricket this week due to a Christening!!!! In the cricket season? Thin edge of the wedge if women continue to make planning decisions based on a total disregard for sport - "Didn't happen in my day" as grumpy old men were heard to say!
Dan (Corners, Free Kicks, Penalties & Linesmans Flag)and his mighty warriors continued on their unbeaten way with a comprehensive win over Olton & West Warwicks. Powerful driving by Matt put the new ball into the mud before Dan (CFKP&LF) avoided a jug with an excellent 87. KP & Moomin established a stranglehold over the openers but the star of the day was Freddie (who did buy a jug) who took out all 5 openers in a splendid spell of raw pace & aggression. Dan (Chief cook & bottlewasher) took the last 3 wickets to get our heroes into the bar before they melted in the fierce heat. Mention must by made of Ricky Hatton's Duck of Mud!!
Week 3
Dan and his team of all the talents continue in their undefeated way. Despite the game being called off by Weoley Hill Dan gathered around him his support team and the Griffin pork pies and unveiled his plan for the rest of the season. What the opposition will think of it will be revealed throughout the summer.
Week 2
Dan continued his winning ways with good performances from himself and Quinny with bat & ball. James amazed the gathered masses with a seasons best performance. Quote of the week " Im be a proper bowler, Im be! Best yam faced!" Who does he mean? Answers to quiz master Fred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Week1
At last the sunday team played some cricket under the inspired leadership of the Brothers Ward. On a warm & sunny day Dan managed to alienate most of his team by not winning the toss. Blossomfield made a steady start against Fred & Moomin despite an early wicket to Fred. Running up that hill proved succesful for Moomin with 4 top order wickets. Sam Sadler deserved more than his one wicket but the innings folded to a easily getable 96.
Dan & James made a stolid start with some middle-order hitting by Matt & Luke promising much more. However the somewhat different batting style of Mummin & Mick, in the largest partnership of the day, took the Sunday boys to a 4 wicket victory.
LEAGUE WEEK 2 (May 10th)
An unexpected batting collapse by the 1st team cost them dear as Hampton & Solihull's one man team romped to victory. Dave again looked in good form with the bat but could not get out of the twenties for the second week running. Del Boy & Young Sedge tried to add some respectability but hampered by an outfield similar to a corn field it was too little and too late.
However back at home the 2nds again gained victory with Don leading the way home with the first jug of the season. Jug avoidance was the key note to Pete taking himself off with figures of 4-7!
There is a theory that the 3rd team could be fairly interesting!!
THE LEAGUE STARTS WITH MIXED RESULTS!!!
Thanks to all the hard work put in by the ground committee the league season was able to start promptly with the 1st team achieving a disappointing Tie but the 2nds went top of the table with a convincing win at Arden Forest - See Captains report for greater detail.
