A Few Weeks away.......Wins, Draws and a Loss!

Once again muchos apologies for the delay in posting. In all fairness Philo was meant to do this but since hes fallen in love everything has gone to pot!!

Few weeks back now we played Pickwick with Mo Azam and Olly Thomas scoring runs in an eventful afternoon that saw One of Picwick's batsmen kick off with Tommo for encouraging his own bowlers in the closing stages of the game!! The chat from tommo at short leg of "I don't know if you've played much cricket before in your life but this is what happens in this situation" was very amusing for all who heard as Pickwick were trying to hold out for a draw with 2 wicket's remaining. Lord Zu Zu stepped up and took 2 wickets in 3 balls to end the contest and give ashfield a full points win.

The skipper then took himself off to Aus for Glen Ashmeads wedding which was a great time given 2 round the world flights and food poisoning in the space of ten days! In all seriousness congratulations to Ash and Katie they had a great time and am sure all at Ashfield wish them all the best in their future life together. It didn't stop Ashman from getting hammered through the week and thrown out of every bar in Port Douglas, on only his second night of being there, which shows he hasn't changed at all since being Ashfield's star overseas player in 2000. The boys took on North Warwks on the 15th July and came out with 24 points, The skipper should stay permanently away and they may well have a chance!. Philo took over the reins and turned in a true captains performance of 60 odd and 4 wickets, Mo "run machine" Azam scored another 80 and Amer Hussain with his superb bowling form took another 4 wickets, great win lads.

Saturday before last we travelled to Kenilworth and Crowd was spotted on Kenilworths high street but not at the game, It looks as if crowd may have abandoned us and who can blame him over the years he's had to put up with watching several clowns play for the club, thankfully the majority have left us now! and the news that Wynn Evans was not actually playing for the opposition was welcome relief to all. However not much play was possible due to a freak storm that ended the day with AshfIeld 39-0 after 9 overs. Another of the Ashfield ex players who have moved over to Kenilworth (but is far more likeable) was keen for us to stay over there and play out for bonus points maybe he wanted us to copy the Kenilworth 2nd teams captain example who in a rain affected game batted the whole way through without giving Ashfield a chance to bat!

Last week we entertained Bedworth and in a good evenly contested game had the better of a draw. Bedworth Looked a good side probably one of the strongest we have come up against this year. Olly "20/20" Thomas went at his usual rate of 3 a ball for 10 overs and then holed out, In all fairness and Obviously I am biased I don't think there is a more naturally talented batsman in the league, the joker needs to learn that you don't have to get out after getting to 35 every week, maybe if he spent more time in the nets or concentrating at the crease as he does in front of the mirror with his hair straighteners he'd have a chance. Lord Zu Zu and Mo Azam (again) hitting 70 each got ashfield a great score of 276. Bedworth in reply were always behind the rate and keeping a close field enabled them to get nearer than they probably would have, that's not to takeaway from some good hitting form Mark Spacey at the end of the game who enjoyed himself in the last 2 overs. Game finished with Ashfield getting a winning draw.

Saturday saw us go over to Olton confident of taking victory. A seaming pitch and extremely poor fielding and bowling display let us down and we missed out. Olton fielded exceptionally well and we could do well to follow their example in a year in which poor fielding has cost us 2 wins and a winning draw. Hugely frustrating for everyone but no-one else to blame except ourselves with 7 games to go a concerted effort needs to be made to stay in contention this year something which everybody has to be confident of doing.

On a Brighter note the end of season party this year has been handed over to two of the local party organisers Caroline and Anna who surnames shall not be revealed but are more than accustomed with the bright lights of Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and many other cities worldwide, shall be organising this years party on the 16th September.