Hosting tourists Stanford Le Hope CC

See scorecard here

​
Report by Kevin Smith, SLHCC

We arrived at the stadium with the joyous sight of grass but the thought of moving around let alone running and bowling was making my stomach do all sorts. In the match, we bowled first and after being put everywhere in the game before, the bowling was much better! Highlights included Lovejoy going for just 5 runs in 4 over’s, the wicket taking return of John Hicks, 5 bowlers getting a maiden, 2 great catches from Adam and myself (somehow!) and Nuts getting another wicket. If it wasn’t for a few lusty blows by the left handed keeper, the score would have been even better but 160-9 of 30 over’s was a good effort.

With limited time available we went straight into our batting innings with highlights being a second ball duck for Chay (haha), Nuts getting worried about the Barcelona International quick bowler, Lee getting a not out again (and 80 odd runs!!), me having to run countless singles and twos with Lee when I was still close to chucking up everywhere and Phil coming in with the team needing 6 to draw of the last ball, and late cutting for 2. We ended up losing by 4 runs but it was a great game and the Barca Int team were a really nice bunch of lads! After we had changed out of our snazzy new T20 kit, we followed the opposition to a nice bar in Barcelona and after a tight squeeze into the underground car park, we had our final fines meeting. More dubious fines were being thrown about although some people like Ben, Kay and Anne escaped quite lightly as they were well behaved!!! Adam was judged to be the final Tart if the Day after we explained that he had brought straightners on tour!!! We then enjoyed some excellent food and a few drinks before heading back to the hotel for a few drinks in the hotel bar.