MBCC Third XI V's Royal Ascot 3 19/05/2007

Week two, Bray entered the game with high expectations. Things could not be more positive. Saj Tariq had lined up a strong balanced team which on paper looked as if it was ready to take on the Windies at Lords. Instead they were to take on Royal Ascot at their Lords - the Jubilee Ground. Thanks to Charlie the ground was looking lush and the wicket excellent, and more importantly the sun was shinning.

Winning the toss, Royal Ascot were sent in to bat, as new boys Kushal and Naeem were given the new ball. Naeem was unlucky to not get a wicket conceding 6 runs in his opening spell of 6 overs. Kushal was impressive with his swing bowling and got the breakthrough in his first over. Despite bowling well, they couldn't tempt the Ascot batsmen. Shoukat was brought in and kept things tight but it wasn't until Ishfaq Nawaz was given the ball, that the breakthrough was achieved with his leg spin. Three overs later, he struck again, being supported well by Riasat behind the stumps. At the other end Raj Mukherjee displayed great accuracy and bowled line and length and was rewarded with 3 quick wickets to wrap up the Ascot Innings for 177 all out.

After tea, Pete Lamb carried on his good form despite losing Riasat in the first over. New kid, Shamraiz got stuck straight in and Bray looked settled and were crusing. It was not to last. Pete mistimed a shot and was caught by the keeper. Naeem got a jaffa and walked straight back out. Zubair carried on from last week in his role as an anchor and kept the score board ticking. However, Sham who was well set in, got carried away once too often and was caught going for a straight six. He did his bit (47, 4 fours and a six). At this stage application was called for. Unfortunately none was found, as wickets continued to fall. The last five wickets falling for 7 runs.

Bray finished some way short of the target, but on a positive note learnt some lessons - concentration is a must! Well I hope they did!