Long Trip for Saturday Side but Webby Ton Secures Victory

Match report
V Preston

After a long travel up north, Bilsington finally arrived at Preston for their next game. Preston had an under-strength team with a few good youths. Bilsington had a very strong side with their top five run getters, and some strong bowlers including ex-player Steve Lilly (who returned for a star appearance).
Mike won the toss and decided to bat first and Bilsington put on 33 runs very quickly but then lost Sean as he tried to cut a ball that was too close to him and got caught behind.
Paul and Trev put on 94 for the 2nd wicket and Trev picked up his sixth fifty of the season, until he got himself stumped ( he nearly got stumped the previous ball too!!!)
Paul continued batting and got his 50 and then collected his 100 which put him over 600 runs for the season. He ended with 126 not out his highest score of his cricketing career. He put on 113 with Andy (who only scored!). Mike decided to declared in the 35th over (it was a 40 overs game), so we could have more time in the pub!
Steve and Alan opened the bowling and Steve struck in his first over with a good catch from Andy with the sun in his eye. Steve ripped through the top order but Paul Cork was playing some great shots to keep Preston in the hunt. Cork then played a hook shot which found the middle of the bat , Dave Nice was on the boundary but it was looking to be going over Dave’s head and to make things worse he tripped over but at that moment he stuck out his hand in mid-trip and the ball landed in his hand!!! It was one of the best catches I’ve ever seen!! I am sure a lot of people who saw that will agree.
Steve finished his bowling with 4-29 and put Preston at 71-6. But Gerry Weavill opened his shoulders and played some good powerful shots and quickly got 61 and Preston were at 157-7 and there could be an upset. But Andy removed the dangerous batsman with the only straight ball of his spell! Bilsington could have finished the game earlier but Danny dropped a straight forward catch as wicketkeeper.
Mike decided to give Sean a spell and Sean’s first field change was to remove Dave from silly point to close mid-wicket and the batsman’s first shot from Sean was a simple catch to silly point!!! But the next went straight to Dave.
Bilsington won by 57 runs. It was a good batting pitch with a very fast outfield! Bilsington celebrated their win in the pub. With Mike and Alan still celebrating when I left and hearing on Sunday morning from a reliable source they possibly overstayed their welcome at the pub. Some people have all the luck!.