It’s well known that ‘catches win matches’, so we were feeling confident at the innings break after a good solid display in the field, restricting Elevation to a perfectly chaseable 114.  The wickets, with five caught in the field (George Muston’s was the pick) and three clean bowled, were shared around.  Bowling and fielding were more generally good and committed, with Chris Latham particularly sharp.  God was in his heaven and all was right with the world. 

Our skipper John Tarrant gave us a rousing pep talk ahead of our turn to bat, the gist of which was to not get bogged down.  And so out we went, one by one - and back we came, one by one.  Only Steve Chessell got to double figures, and then only just; everyone else found increasingly bizarre ways to be dismissed on a track with low bounce but no particular demons.  We had been variously seized by a collective madness and/or a complete lack of ability.  Bowled out in 16 overs, with Mark Jeffrey, an opponent we know well (and sometime Fader), coming away with three wickets.  He must have thought it was Xmas. 

As ever Tony & Emma and Elevation were sporting opponents and great company.  We’re always grateful for their good humour and pulled pork cobs.  But the Elevation Cup is lost, and we must hope that they allow us the chance to win it back in 2024.

Tom Coates, BG Faders Cricket Captain.

If you are interested in joing the Faders for future matches and training sessions, please contact Tom Coates on tcoates@hwcoates.co.uk