After warmups and customary uninformed pitch inspections, the team gathered round for the presentation of James Barron’s cap, a moment we all remember in our time. James’ rise to the first team has been s swift one, but he was quickly able to show why after the up and down nature of the wicket ripped out the top 3 batters. James steadied the ship at one end, whilst firstly Max and then Duray came out counterpunching, shifting the momentum somewhat back in our favour. Regular wickets fell, but we showed the depth in batting we possess, with the innings of the day coming from Leo, alongside Drew making a vital lower order cameo to scrape ourselves up to 168 – “below par but defendable”, it was remarked.

After taking a blow to the elbow during his dismissal, it became clear throughout the first innings that his role during the fielding would be in the Cheer XI rather than on the pitch. In other clubs, this results in 10 men taking the field, but the Plough family is a little different. And when the Plough came calling Giordy answered, interrupting his Saturday Netflix binge to don his whites and make his debut for the First XI. Despite being unable to bowl as sub fielder, this didn’t prevent him from being involved in the game, challenging all batsman to hit the church for varying amounts of his own cash, alongside sledging a batsman for having the same number as Pogba at United. Having him in the field was vital in what occurred – a true legend of the Plough.

The opposition started their innings in aggressive style, and managed to get away early boundaries. Reward does not come without its own risk though, with Leo and Drew scalping and opener each to keep us in the game. However just before first drinks at 15 overs with the opposition circa 90-2, it looked that maybe it wasn’t going to be our day. But canny bowling changes saw CRS and Max given the ball, to bowl two spells that would change the momentum. Nagging unrelenting lengths from CRS (8-2-11-1) provided the breakthrough, before Max then took over ragging the ball off the challenging deck (8-2-12-3) – all whilst supported with some good catching from Chicken Shop & Canelo. This opened up an end, where skipper Puff decided he would park his car. 2 in 2 from him after second drinks put us in a commanding position, leaving him on a hattrick ball. Although the hattrick wasn’t meant to be today, this wouldn’t stop Puff from stealing the limelight, as a one-handed pick up and direct hit off his own bowling would see the 9th wicket taken, in a fielding display of which Jonty Rhodes would be proud. Following a mix up between the wickets, Croydon Lions were bowled out for 118. A win for the Plough which looked comfortable in the end, however in truth it felt anything but.

If the day couldn’t get any better, the news that Brentford CC had lost, returning us to the top of the league, was a cherry on top – but plenty of work to do to ensure we’re still there come the end.

Overall, a great day out with even better beers after, a great team spirit and a supportive Cheer XI as ever (shout out to Ean, Fred and my Mrs).

PloughOn!

Chicken Shop

Match report produced by Hugh Lilburn