Brigands welcomed the AHC to the Down which is always a special day especially during an Ashes summer.
With an earlier than usual start on the cards it was a youthful Brigands team who were asked to bat by the opposition.
Jay and Adams quickly put on 27 for the first wicket before the score quickly became 41-4 with Turner and Walker going in the same over. A 63 partnership between Hands and Gray(33) took the score to 116 before Hands(38) and Ali added a further 42 leaving Ali(36*) and Northwood to take the total to 179. The total appeared to be a challenging one with a slow outfield and all the chat over tea was about quick wickets once the annual raffle had been drawn.
AHC began well against Brigands opening attack of Wood and Gray who couldn't quite get the breakthrough that was needed. With AHC cruising at 41-0 Gray took 2 in 2 before Wood added a third to leave AHC 53-3 with 2 great catches from Bailey behind the stumps. With AHC 83-3 the game was well poised at drinks but with Gray having bowled his contracted spell he left the field never to return!! The skipper turned to the spin of Ali and was rewarded with 2 wickets in his first over even if one was kicked onto the stumps by the batsman. 95 needed off 19 overs with 5 wickets remaining. Hands bowling from the Wood end saw a catches dropped by Bailey and Ali but was eventually rewarded with catches from Turner and Jay Snr. Ali taking the Beardall spot as the "Burglar" took 2 more wickets leaving Hands to finished to game off but when the ball was hit back to him he failed to take the catch. Had Hands dropped the Ashes?? With some clever field movement from Turner, Ali bowled and the ball went airborne to Hands who held on this time to claim the victory.
A great day on the Down against decent opposition who enjoyed their day but more importantly enjoyed the beer after the game.