Report by Simon Godsill:
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, openers James Robinson and Simon Godsill started at a fair lick, taking advantage of some occasionally loose bowling from Maddie Shanks and her brother George, despite a deceptive snake-trail run-up from George. The first bowling change brought a wicket to slow spin from "Jamie Jamie". Godsill and Chris Badger continued but runs slowed down a little when the "moon ballers" arrived on the scene, and running between the wickets was also observed to be a little under par. Godsill retired on 50* from 45 balls and subsequently Badger also, on 51* from 41 balls (concluding with an excellent six, landing in the centre of the busy children's play park; H&S are investigating . . .). Meanwhile, Julius Rix put on a strong performance of 18* runs (off 19 balls) to complete our 20 overs and a respectable total of 151/1.
In the second innings, excellent opening bowling from Naveen Chouksey (1/16) and Max Ayliffe (0/15) kept the run rate down below the required 7+ per over, against high quality opening batters, including yet another member of the Shanks Dynasty (the uncle?). Then TK supplied his leg spin plus variations leading to an excellent LBW on leg stump - it looked out from mid-off! - although the young Girton umpire George was much berated by his uncle for giving it. Serious words were exchanged (reports of "f*** you, George" must shhurrelly have been missh-heard . . .[Seamus O'Lunchtime]), with statements like "it's only a friendly" cutting no ice. Around this point the sun was setting and was directly in the eyes of the batters, so Remnants graciously offered and agreed to bowl three consecutive overs from the other end. Faruk Kara (and Dian Weerakonda, however, managed to stifle the run rate still further and Remnants were in a good position by the halfway point. Room now for cameo bowling performances from Cam Petrie (0/5), who this time demonstrated his slow bowling mastery, and from debut bowler Simon Godsill (0/9) in over 19, with Max just shelling an amazing running diving catch attempt from deep cover. We understand that the penultimate bowler has taken the batter's statement "I can't believe it - he's slower than the last guy!" (Faruk) as a compliment. Over 18 and the death over were admirably bowled by Naveen, including a good "bowled round the legs", leading to a well-deserved second victory in so many days for Remnants.