Birthday 98 not out for 'Tank' in derby victory

9:40am Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Somerset League 2nd XI Div Four SW: East Huntspill (35) 294-4 bt Huntspill & Dist (6) 42 by 252 runs RUNAWAY leaders East Huntspill Seconds made it ten wins out of ten against a very young side in this local derby at Merry Lane on Saturday.

"Private" Spelman came back from Margate with a gold medal and returned to the team at the expense of "Kpoo" Middleton. He had to drop out due to getting very upset after finding grey hairs under his ginger locks.

"Turd" came in for Alex, who, after his heroics the previous week, was "dropped" to the first team.

"Lump" lost the toss yet again and East were put in. Paul Bagg was the first to go for a very entertaining duck, bringing "Pam" to the crease. He was soon run out, or rather walked out with three.

"Scooter" Dare joined "Lump" and was soon knocking the ball about, but his skipper fell for 30 to a brilliant catch by Paul Maxwell.

Jon "We only hate Tottenham" Picton and "Scooter" went on to build a partnership of 97 before the latter was bowled for 47. This brought in "The Tank" Thomas, who was celebrating his 44th birthday.

He set about the bowlers, sending four after six to all areas of the ground. One four was hit so hard that if it had been a paint-ball bullet, it would have taken someone's nose off.

Picton finished 80 not out and "Tank" also unbeaten, on 98, missing out by one on his highest score of the season, honestly.

Facing the home total of 294, the visitors were in trouble straight away. Bagg, with an excellent spell, had a caught-and-bowled in the first over and Spelman took a wicket in the second when "Pam" Cave held a very good catch after the ball had got stuck in his cleavage.

Spelmen went on to finish with 4-17 in ten overs, completing a very good day for him, having learned that his son, Commando Dan, who plays for East when he's on leave, had been promoted.

Bagg (2-20 off seven over) and birthday boy "Tank" (3-5 from four overs) finished off Huntspill & District for 42, another excellent win for the hosts.

Thanks go to Jack for doing a great job as umpire, the Crown Inn for a great tea and Mrs D for clearing up after the team again. Man of the match, sponsored by "Pam" Cave, was Hayden "Tank" Thomas.