Round 9 - une pitchgifle

game	opponent	us	them
9	regulators	139	119

BATTING

		out	partnership	total
keano	lenno	1	43	43
jamie	richo	4	34	77
g	tim	7	-9	68
john	steve	0	71	139

BOWLING

	wickets	runs
g	1	49
jamie	1	15
john	2	1
keano	2	7
lenno	2	4
richo	3	-2
steve	1	15
tim	0	30
	12	119

(first and last) Match Slapper: John


At Stumps Squad: Keano & John

All that was missing was Gene Hackman, as Pitchslap brought to Matraville a little avoir du chien via Le Marquand and the frères Le Nevez. gLOVE, as our French readers have noted, parler le français comme une vache espagnole.

Quite the build up to this weeks outing against the Regulators, following the forfeit and their position one behind us in fourth. A scratch match, the Skip won the toss and elected to set a total. Keano's fortnight absence from the game has only freshened his form, returning to the openers position alongside Lenno, losing only one wicket on their way to another sturdy start of 43. Jamie and Richo continue with the grit, resetting their bar again at 34 - a great sixer a highlight from B.Baggins. New Slap Tim joined yours truly at the crease, my advice on how we should approach things sensibly ringing turgidly in his ears as I proceeded upon a precisely opposite course. All the mail on New Slap Steve was about the ball, yet we really pulled the long straw in his pairing with John for a tremendous closing. The Masterclass, as ever, precise with his hitting in the power over.

With 139 on the board the Regulators launched into their work, adding an initial stand of 46 despite a great opening from Keano. Lenno and Jamie combined to slow the scoring in the second pair, though our opponents had worked themselves into a strong position needing only 63 from the final 8 overs with the power over in hand. Richo (-1), John (-3), Keano (2) and Slem (1) then rolled over the third pair to make the task rather more difficult. Lenno kept the pressure on with a negative over before they were back in the hunt after carting the power over (no surprises who bowled it). Thankfully then, it was the Skipper and John who stepped up to leave them 20 runs adrift.

Rich is likely seeking out new wicket-keeping options after one of the most wretched performances seen at Matto these many years. Before you reach for the guillotine Skipper please just remember, my dearest and most revered friend, this team is essentially my life. At the other end of the spectrum, while Lenno, Keano and Richo would have all been thoroughly deserved winners, there may be only one Match Slapper. We've just come to expect it probably, but it was a super game from Johnny.

And so, no bleating about the vote for a while, all right?