The annual fixture between Jaguar Land Rover and Jonathan Lee Recruitment took place on the evening of the 9th of July at the sun kissed Hagley cricket ground.
After extensive work by the ground staff the match began on a lively pitch at the scheduled start time of 6.00 pm. Due to a number of 'cry offs' the Jonathan Lee team were down to the bare bones and had to depend upon enthusiasm rather than experience to match the team from Jaguar Land Rover. The toss was lost and the Jonathan Lee team took to the field, with Matt wear it with pride Heath and Junior' Street given the task of opening the bowling.
After a steady start by the Jaguar Land Rover batsmen the unbelievable happened, Les Jack Russell Hines dropped a simple catch - what was he thinking about? The subject for his next water colour, or the figures for the next strategy meeting! The ball hit the turf and there was an audible gasp from the Jonathan Lee Team and Les uttered the immortal words these gloves are slippy.
Jaguar land Rover made steady progress and it was soon apparent this was going to be a hard game for the boys of Jonathan Lee to win as three of the batting side retired on the maximum score allowed.
However, with some clever field placings and tight bowling the Jonathan Lee team fought hard to restrict Jaguar land Rover to 143 runs off the 22 overs. Les redeemed himself near the end of the innings taking a magnificent one handed catch off the bowling of Jonathan Lee.
Excellent bowling from Matt Heath, Grant Nisbet, Jonathan Lee and Nick Jones helped to restrict the score which potentially could have been in excess of 180 runs. A special mention to Mark Jonah Jones who was the coolest dude on the pitch complete with dark glasses and turned up collar, he should have been playing at the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff in the 1st Ashes Test for the old enemy.
The reply started circumspectly until it exploded into life with Matt hitting a 6 and a 4 off consecutive deliveries. However after this sudden acceleration in run rate Matt was out (after being hit midships) and this brought Les to the wicket to partner Audie Homer.
Les hit the first ball for a majestic 4 straight back over the bowlers head. Les and Audie shared in a record 77 run partnership (63 off the bat and 14 extras) taking the Jonathan Lee team to the brink of victory.
Nick played a lovely cameoinnings until he was stumped going for a big hit leaving Jonathan and Grant to bring the team home with 2 overs (and some) to spare. Grant secured victory hitting the winning runs.
A great result and thanks to Grant for taking time out from his birthday celebrations.
Man of the Match goes to Les Jack Russell Hines but running him close was Audie and the rest of the team.
A very successful evening had by all and Jaguar Land Rover extending a challenge to a rematch!
Thank you to Robin Borns for giving his overview of this worthy victory.