Gav Kay as wordsmith;

Winning Cricket matches can be difficult and it can be made more difficult when your gun batsman goes AWOL before the start of the game. Thankfully Muz appeared 5 mins before the start in a happy, psychedelic state and the Badgers took to the field against newly relegated Hatfield Hyde.

The first 10 overs were where Bolty realised Championship batsman play a different game to Div 4b and he'd moved from Cricket to Baseball, with leg side taking a hammering as the HH openers made a fast start. The Badgers were staring down the barrel of a 250+ chase until a moment of 'magic' from big show captain Pegg snaffling a diving catch. It proved a key moment, as did bringing on Benji 'The Windmill' Richardson who bowled a game changing spell ending with 4 wickets. It wasn't all plain sailing though as Sammy was taken out by the Broxbourne sniper in his thigh after 5 balls, leaving Goff and Kay anxiously looking for excuses on why they couldn't bowl. Unfortunately Sammy, even with the help of his weapons grade hemp rub, wasn't able to bowl and it was back to big show Hancock Pegg to come to the party.

As Benji and Pegg turned the screw we still had a few overs to cover - step up Muz and Tommy Hayden who bowled excellent closing spells alongside a final over blast from Fish who nearly decapitated the Hatfield no.11. It was a great turnaround supported by some excellent catching and the Badgers were set 209 to win.

It was a more unusual opening partnership for the Badgers of Kay and Pegg (my bat, my ball) with some suggesting it must have been drawn out of a hat (not too far from the mark), but this was quickly forgotten as the bucket list opening pair raced to a 90+ partnership, until Pegg was stumped off the keepers metal pads. Kay brought up his 50 just before another wicket quickly fell as Muz, still revelling in his bowling performance, played an unusual sweep that saw him rightly triggered.

Josh then arrived at the crease trying to nursemaid Kay to a ton, who was clearly not listening and with cold/flu drugs wearing off was stumped on 75 in similar fashion to Pegg. It should be added that Bolty at Square Leg wouldn't have given it but Kay had made the decision for him by being half way to the pavilion.

Tommy Hayden and Goff took the score steadily to 190 before Hayden got bored leaving Josh and Benji to drag the Badgers over the line with 7 overs remaining. A very calm and considered knock by Josh which I think even surprised himself (we won't mention his dropped catch though).

An excellent win to get the 2's up and running with a trip to Preston lying in wait