On the hottest, longest day of the year The Blades gathered at the Sporty for this away fixture vs NOC. But instead of one of the vertiginous postage stamps, this 20-over match was played on an adult-size pitch. Blades batted first and it was the KH and KH show for the first few overs as Humphrey and Hamer settled themselves in and scored steadily, reaching 41-0 from the first five overs before Humphrey retired on 25. Whitear joined Hamer as the bowlers changed, slowing the run rate. Whitear and then Hurst fell for single figures and Afzal headed to the crease. A partnership of 22 was only ended when Hamer was bowled in the 14th for 21, an excellent knock combined with a supporting role at the non-striker’s end for large parts of the innings. Galpin took the middle and during partnerships with Afzal, Lowe and Meering amassed a masterly 26* before taking the proud walk back to the pavilion, undefeated, bat aloft. Debutant Zulfukar faced the last ball for a dot and the Blades innings closed on a very respectable but also gettable 124 for 5.
The longest day threatened to deliver the shortest game. 2 catches from Humphrey’s bowling – one by Hamer, one c&b – combined with Afzal bowling number 1 reduced NOC to 9 for 3 in the fourth. But NOC dug in and began to lift their run rate, finding a few boundaries and running twos. Chamberlain and Lowe bowled at the first change and it was Chamberlain who bowled the next victim in the 13th with the score having crept up to 63-4. NOC were still behind the rate but their recovery gave them confidence and their excellent running kept the scores ticking over and the calculations of required rates began as they sensed an unlikely win. 38 were needed from the last four overs but batting hero Galpin was having none of it. His first over went for just three, and the pendulum swung back towards the Albanians. Zulfukar bowled a debut over, Galpin had another, and the final over arrived, NOC needing 15 to win. What followed had pretty much everything. Ball 1, a dot. Ball 2 c&b. Ball 3 a wide with 2 runs. Ball 4 a run out. Ball 5 bowled. With 2 balls left, 12 runs needed. The next went for a boundary… but only four. A single brought proceedings to a close and The Blades had braved a recovery and held on for their first win of the season and an enthralling night’s cricket. NOC 118 for 7.
RESULT: Blades WIN by 6 runs
Champagne moment contenders:
Humphrey’s low-level c&b
Meering’s two high-leaping c&b
Galpin’s retirement for 26*
The Blades CC 
Top report Ade
Ade, enjoyed reading a great report (as always). The ‘normal’ ground not too far from the car was fantastic, which meant it wasn’t subject to the local team’s clever use of the ground (short boundary etc) and came down to plain skill in the field.
Exactly. the best team won, not the best team at playing the pitch
It’s almost as good as being there! Thanks Ade for a great report as usual – well done all. Vive le blades!!
You’re very kind
Great to hear Les Blades playing exciting cricket and the senior players contributing. More interesting than the T20 at the Ageas!
we do what we can. Sky offered to cover us but we refused to sell out