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IRON ACTON V’s OOSVCC    Sunday 9th July 2006

Another convincing win for Oldbury by 10 wickets. Damp conditions led to another shrewd decision to bowl by skipper Nige Hopkins. A steady start by Iron Acton was contained by Tight bowling from Derek Garrett and Tom May. The runs picked up with the introduction of Dan 'The Lob' Blanchard who clearly was striving to keep the ball dry by keeping it off the wicket. A concerned skipper then brought himself on to bowl, and bowl, and bowl - keeping one end tight while everyone else had a go at the other end. Wickets soon started to tumble with slower bowling on a responsive track, with great spells by the Garrett boys, William and Hedley, each taking a wicket. Hopkins spell ended with two wickets, including some petulance at an un-rewarded lbw shout. Jim Russell then weaved his usual leggy magic, supported by an exceptional wicket keeping display by the jaunty Pete Ford  with a sharp stumping and catch; and Derek Garrett tidied up the tail to end with 3-9 off 4 overs, and a 5 wicket haul for the Garrett family. An excellent sky-high catch by William Garrett was the highlight in a very tidy fielding performance all round.

The target of 109 to win always looked comfortable as father and son openers Jim and Mark Russell knocked of the runs in style, despite some tidy swing bowling by John Shepherd. Both batsmen reached 50, with Mark Russell getting his maiden half-century for the club.

An early finish meant an early start in The Lamb and then The Anchor and The Russells having to put their hands in their pockets!

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