This game had it all: a Badger debut 50, a rampaging Pegasus bowling performance, kamikaze running, sharp run outs, big sixes, birthday cake (thanks Sofia), birthday sausage roll (thanks Liezel) and copious cider and beer but, despite all this, no definitive result. Although the Badgers took the honours by way of a Faire withdrawal from the field of play waiving a white flag / umbrella of surrender.
Badgers batted first with Lee and Taylor coming to the crease in the 5th over. They steadily built an innings before Lee succumbed on 30. He was replaced by Run Hungry Hamblin who really was hungry. Smashing 24 off his first 7 balls, big Jim finished on 38 with a big six and many fours along the way. In amongst this Taylor continued to accumulate, hitting a very fine 56 on his one day badger debut. Dollimore hit 30 (one big six and many big heaves missing the ball) and then unselfish kamikaze running from Cade and Thomas saw Badgers end on 206-7 from their 35 overs.
Following tea, with the conditions increasingly overcast, the Badgers set to bowling. An excellent display of swing bowling from Paul "the winged horse" Cole dismissed batsman numbers 2, 3 and 4 leaving Faire on 20-3 after 10 overs from which they never recovered. Fine bowling performances from Lewis (1 wicket) and Dollimore (2 wickets) and a couple of run outs left Faire on 94-8 after 21 overs.
Then the heavens opened and in amongst the dripping trees sheltering the very damp badgers happy birthday was sung to Cade and Dollimore. 15 minutes later and somewhat miraculously the sun came out but the Faire batsman sadly did not. Not expecting a fair wind to blow (or perhaps a Faire win) and having assumed there was no prospect of further play the remaining batsmen had already departed for home.
This left the soggy badgers to dry out in the pub with pentathlon points now their chance for glory. Much merriment ensued but not without controversy. Following a rapid time for baby faced Thomas, the Social Secretary has since been forced to clarify that apple juice doesn't count.