The sun was shining and a cool breeze blew across dsg from the south, but not cool enough as Carl and Bisi eagerly tucked into their first pints of the day before the oppo had even arrived. Skipper Parks went out to try and break his toss losing streak, failed miserably, but luckily the oppo wanted a bowl as they had a few unknowns in their side. The beer drinking Plough cheered a good start to the day. 35 overs and regular drinks breaks were agreed.

It was fantastic to see Fred ‘Mouse’ Gumpert back in the Plough baggy, and it was him and Parks who opened the batting. The Mouse got off the mark in classic fashion, holding his bat out of the crease to encourage the first overthrow of the day, and we were off the mark. I don’t like cc’s opening pair were good bowlers, but anything short or wide sat up to be hit on a very dry pitch, and both openers were able to see off the good ones and punish anything off the mark, getting off to a good start, 51 runs off the first 10 overs.

The runs kept flowing for the next few overs as well, as the change bowlers bad balls were put away regularly as both batsmen cut and pulled their way to a 100 partnership. Eventually, just before drinks Parks played around a straight one to be plumb lbw for 68, Fred still not out on 68 at this stage with the Plough on 151-1. Tom Ball joined Fred and looked to push on the score to a big total, hitting some lovely shots before middling a great drive that was caught by the catch of the day, a diving fielder plucking it out the air. Raess came in to join Fred and they ran hard and pushed the score above 200, Fred eventually out for 90 in the penultimate over trying to push to his 100, after a fabulous flawless innings. Raess ran himself out in last over trying to steal a single after a quickfire 27, and George hit a couple of runs late for his red inker. Benny didn’t get to face but still raised his bat to the applauding crowd walking off, Ean just looked good in his pads.

Tea was taken, the highlights being, less mystery meat sandwiches than normal, a tasty cheese quiche and donuts with actual sugar on them, what a treat! The Plough discussed the merits of our score and whether it would be enough, another 20 or 30 runs would seem to have been better, and the oppo seemed quite confident about chasing that, so honours even at that stage.

Tom Ball was presented with his Plough baggy as we went out to field, welcome to the club Tom! Giordy and Bisi opened up, Giordy having struck a deal over tea with Bisi (wait for a night out with both for more details) to take the end with the wind. It was clear that one of their openers was going to swing at nearly every ball, and runs were soon flowing, the first 10 overs went for 71 runs, and the ball was flying all over the field, a couple of half chances were missed and edges went over fielders heads. Sham replaced Bisi but the runs kept flowing, anything short being hit for 4 or 6.

It wasn’t until George and Tom came on for a bowl that things tightened up, with two maidens leading up to the early drinks break. Despite some excellent bowling from the pair, the runs soon started to flow again from the set openers, with even scoops and reverse sweeps now on display. Once both batsmen had passed 50, the Plough were treated to the spectacle of two new batsmen walking out to the middle to ‘retire’ the two openers, who then flatly refused to walk off the pitch. The two new bats had to turn around and walk back to the pavilion. All very bizarre!

The openers continued to make hay until the 27th over when Worbin?!! (Benny) finally trapped no1 lbw. And Carl soon had the other opener a couple of overs later for 99. (Jug avoidance) The famous Plough squeeze didn’t quite materialise though, and although 2 more wickets fell, I don’t Like CC were right on the run rate, and needed 5 off the last over to win. 2 runs off the first two balls from Giordy and it was looking good, but then an attempted yorker went astray and was smashed for 6 to win the game.

A great day out in the DSG sunshine and a great oppo, I don’t Like CC are a lovely bunch and have great banter in the field. We enjoyed a few beers with them after the game, they were happy to be on the podcast (a couple of them are regular presenters of the famous ‘the cricket podcast’) Great team spirit not giving up right to the end and thanks to those that came down to watch at various times.

P.S. Special mention to George T, who suffered a nasty cut fielding in the outfield on his arm and had to go to hospital. The bloodied Ploughman smiling in A&E with his baggy on has already done the rounds, and happy to report that George is fine, although I think he’ll need Dr merch to sort him out with a new 20% offer.

We Plough On

Match report produced by Leon Parks