CONTROVERSIAL TIE FOR 2S IN MIXED WEEKEND

A somewhat controversial finish to the 2nd XI game at Edenfield put a downer on what had otherwise been a highly competitive game, albeit one played in a somewhat testy atmosphere. We'll come to that later.

After last week's thumping win, the 1sts were once again hoping to pick up points and they did so in convincing style against Austerlands. On a glorious day, John Pemberton's 60 from just 56 balls was the catalyst for a competitive total of 210-9. There were useful contributions from Burnsy, Ruffers, Callum and Phill, while visiting pro Rafique picked up five wickets. The TSJ bowling line up is pretty relentless once it gets on top, and Burns and Niko again led the way, snaffling seven visiting batsmen as the home side cruised to victory by 108 runs.

Over at Edenfield, there was a career best for Donny. A new look opening partnership with the Doc had produced 54 runs before the elder statesman inexplicably left a ball from Totts old boy Cotters and watched his off stump peg back. Watty and Sam came and went cheaply but Donny marched on, passing his half century and gradually upping the rate against an increasingly ragged Edenfield. Temprs were flaring due to a perceived caught behind that wasn't given and a slew of dropped catches, and Donny and Nick Marsh enjoyed a rapid stand of 76 in 10 overs. The tail however collapsed once Donny had been unfortunately run out by Will for a career high 81. Still a total of 209-9 looked pretty decent, despite a rapid outfield and Edenfield's strong batting side.

Removing danger man Tasker was vital and Braders thought he had his man for just 17 when the home umpire inexplicably failed to give what appeared to be a thick edge to the keeper. Still this only fired up the TSJ side and Awais picked up a wicket the very next ball to get us moving. Knott and Tasker however then took the game by the scruff of the neck and at 95-2 off 18 overs, we were right up against it. The Doc took a neat low catch to dismiss Knott off his own bowling to begin a very tight spell, while Nick T, cunningly switched to the other end to achieve even less spin (thanks to "tactical mastermind" Sam Collins), also picked up a wicket.

With pressure on both sides mounting, Nick Marsh came on and almost immediately grabbed a brace of wickets, including the danger man Tasker for 81, both caught brilliantly by Bradders at long on. With the Doc continuing to bowl tightly and pick up more wickets, the game now swung firmly back in our hands. Unfortunately, a calamitous series of fielding errors was keeping the home side alive, and going into the last over the hosts required just 7 to win with the last pair at the crease. Awais kept it tight and with one ball to go, the scoreboard showed 206, four required for victory. Fielders were dropped deep to cut off a boundary. The home side scrambled a pair as Doc fumbled, but we celebrated what we thought was a well-deserved one run triumph.

Unfortunately (or not) the scorer had mysteriously added a run (or not updated the scoreboard) and had we known the true score was 207, we could have brought men up. As it was it transpired we'd tied, leaving us all fuming (some of us still are). Not a very pleasant atmosphere throughout the game, it must be said, but we'll leave it there. Two very big plus points were Donny's contribution both with bat and behind the stumps and an inspired fielding display from skipper Mooro who very much was an inspiration while others were fumbling away.

Sunday saw Katie's unbeaten thirds finally come a cropper at Bolton Indians. Tom spearheaded a decent first innings batting effort, notching his first half century in some time as the 3rds ran up 179-9 in their 40 overs. Nick T, Sam and Marshy also contributed almost 100 between them in what looked a solid effort. Unfortunately the Bolton Indians batting line up had other ideas; Awais was unusually expensive and only Nick T, with 10 cheap overs, went for less than 5 per over as the home side cruised home with five overs to spare.

So a very mixed set of results and a highly controversial tied game, maybe the only one I can remember in 35 years of TSJ cricket. Thanks as always to the players, supporters, spectators, groundsfolk, bar people and everyone who contributed to another exciting weekend of cricketing action.

To view scorecards from all our games, view the TSJ fixtures and results on CricHQ or check out our fixtures page.