Sunday XI v Chelsea Nomads 7th August 2016

Opener Blair King saw M & B through to an 18 run victory on Sunday courtesy of a superb undefeated century against regular visitors, Chelsea Nomads. Upon losing the toss skipper Armstrong was surprised and delighted to be asked to bat by the opposing skipper. Armstrong had to make a last minute change regarding opener asking Gunbarul to open alongside Blair King, as his original selection, Daniel Button, was late, waiting for someone to collect his sofa! Gunbarul and King got M & B off to a steady start posting 42 for the first wicket against a steady opening attack. For a change Gunbarul was circumspect early on pacing his innings and unfurling the odd drive. King was likewise, watchful in defence before playing his drives to overpitched deliveries. Opening bowler Francis beat the bat on a number of occasions. Gunbarul was first to go in the 9th over playing too early at a delivery and pushing it to mid off. His demise brought colt Jai Chopra to the wicket. Chopra got off the mark by flicking a leg side delivery fine for four. Next over to the same bowler he tried to sweep a ball outside off stump and was bowled middle stump for 6 to leave M & B on 57 for 2 in the 13th over. He was replaced by another colt, Joshua Wallace. By know King was ticking, driving fluently, guiding the ball down to third man and pulling anything short. He even managed to clear the net, hitting spinner Synge, for a maximum over long on. King's' aggression allowed Wallace to settle and he was then able to become fluent in nudging singles and turning the strike over. Wallace became more fluent on the drive and was strong pulling the short balls to leg. Together these two built a large partnership and from Armstrong thinking around 180 M&B comfortably passed 200. King reached his century with a glance for 4 and took off his light blue helmet and raised his bat to the pavilion, as well he might. Josh Wallace reached his own landmark, reaching 50, his first senior fifty, well played. Wallace eventually perished after hitting a fine boundary through mid on, yorked by a quicker ball for a well compiled 56, which contained 7 4's. Together the partnership posted 135 in 23 overs, to leave M & B on 192 with 4 overs left. The wicket bought Daniel Button to the crease, 36 overs later than was planned. Although not textbook Button managed to stay to tend and support King to a final total of 216 from the 40 overs. King deservedly carried his bat for a magnificent 113, which contained 14 4's and a 6.

In response M & B got off to the perfect start with Brian Dixon getting opener Petter caught behind by King. Opener Fuller though took the attack to the bowlers and was particularly strong on the drive, hitting Dixon over extra cover for 6. No.3 Thomas was slow scoring putting the onus on Fuller. Senior spinner Chris Butler, snared Thomas in his first over courtesy of a fine catch at widish square leg by Dixon. The introduction of Whiting alongside Fuller, formed the main partnership for the Nomads. Whiting was powerful through the legside and dispatched Butler for a six and two fours in one over. Fuller batted splendidly until he decided to leave a ball from Thomas Allen, which actually turned and hit the top of off, ending his innings on 45. Allen quickly followed up with another wicket, castling Smita as he played across the line. Whiting carried on his merry way until he advanced down the track and was stumped by King off Butler, who was happy to extract his revenge. Thereafter skipper Armstrong felt comfortable although Balfour carried on the attack playing mainly to leg although he did play a couple of off drives for four and six. With his final ball Allen enticed the obdurate Francis to play a shot and was caught behind by King. Allen ended with figures of 8/1/53/3 and Butler with figures of 8/2/34/2, with more than half the runs coming in one over. Tinman Atif Amin castled the dangerous Balfour for 36,in between his wides to leave only opposing skipper Junaid Asad as any threat. Amin and Alexander Le Clerq finished off the Chelsea Nomads with two wickets each to leave Asad undefeated on 24 and M & B the victors by 18 runs with 8 balls left. Blair King added three catches and a stumping to his undefeated century to cap a fine game for the mature colt.