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LONGHORNS versus OOSVCC    Sunday 16th May 2004

As you can expect from the 'Longhorns', we were greeted at the ground by one great big bull which Pete Ford tried to make jealous by propositioning its female companions! No doubt full after his rare lunch out, skipper Ian Knapp deliberately lost the toss so Oldbury batted first. Staunch defence by James Armstrong and Jon Dyke against difficult opening bowlers saw a slow start, and when the openers were replaced by Jim Russell and Sam Phelps, the run rate only grew slowly. 100 for two looked a good base to accelerate from but the loss of first Phelps and then Russell for the first competitive 50 of the season brought about a swift turnover in batsmen! By then Ian Knapp's lunch had clearly settled, he decided to take centre stage and proceeded to smash a brisk 37no before the innings closed at 174-8.

An early breakthrough following a superb reaction catch at gulley by Colin Johnson flattered Oldbury as the Longhorn's batsmen set about our opening bowlers. Six - four - six - four - the game was going to be over in no time. Who would have bet on young Tom May bagging a catch on the deep boundary to send the Longhorn's No.3 back to the pavilion after a very fast and impressive fifty? Great catch Tom. The game changed dramatically. Wickets began to tumble, the runs dried up, the many over-40s almost got back on their toes, and the game was once more in the balance. But with too few runs to chase, the Longhorns survived and Oldbury lost by 2 wickets. 

Disappointing to lose, but it was a very competitive game and it was good to get the season underway. Oh, and next time Pete you can wash your own stains out!

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