1STS EXIT CUP AS SUMMER TEMPORARILY ARRIVES
The first round of the cup arrived at precisely the wrong time for the 1sts this year with much of the side missing or injured, but despite that they put up a valiant show against league champs ELPM.
On a very damp pitch, visiting skipper Wadey won the toss and put Totts in, a decision which paid off when makeshift opener Ryan Stoney was soon dismissed. However, in Kieran and Paul J's absence, the experienced hands of Doc P and Boris steadied the ship, putting on 80 in reasonable time. Having despatched Matty Partington into the lodge, the Doc unfortunately fell next ball for 59 when he top edged a pull to Hewart. The innings was looking reasonable at 100-2, but started to stall with Boris and Nelly B falling quickly. The struggling Si Marsh managed to club a few boundaries and at 140-4 with 7 left a total of 200 was on the cards. However, the visitors pulled it back a little and despite a lusty blow or two from Nick Marsh, Totts could only muster 168-7 - that may have been a competitive total with a full bowling attack (or may well not have been) but it was always looking around 30 short on the day.
The Millers got off to a decent start with Bond and Young looking composed - with Asif and Si Marsh missing from the attack and Doc struggling to bowl, there was little penetration; Young fell to a loose shot but there were too many boundary balls coming. Gav Greaves got going and the deficit was starting to rapidly shrink before Nelly B managed to get Bond out. Gav passed 50 in a good knock, but both he and Partington fell in quick succession to offer a glimmer of hope to Totts. Unfortunately the makeshift attack couldn't separate Kiwi and Wadey, the latter hitting one ball 30 yards over the boundary into the cars. The pitch was starting to play up, with Nelly B 'bouncing' several batsmen with spitting deliveries, but the Millers were too powerful and won with around 5 overs to spare.
It was a decent match played in a little welcome sunshine; a good spirit was - as ever - evident and we wish the Millers all the best for the rest of the cup.
