FCC	116 for 5
Wendover	113 all out
FCC won by five wickets

After recent rain and the gale force winds of the summer so far, it was great to have a day which at least showed some signs that the worst of the wet start to the summer may have been over (famous last words). A young and enthusiastic Wendover side arrived (a good deal earlier than the majority of the Home team!) on winning the toss their skipper opted to bat first.

FCC, due to a Lord Lucan impression from Zeeshan, deployed their willing but impromptu 12th Manu (groans… Ed) resplendent in all blue on the basis that this would be for 5 minutes! An hour later Zeeshan arrived and Manu filled out his overtime sheet and headed home for a well deserved rest.

Ali and Junaid opened the bowling and both bowled with pace and accuracy with Junaid being able to get a good deal of lateral movement on occasion.

The young Wendover batsmen, however, were determined to play their shots and after a good deal of playing and missing both openers paid the price giving catches to point and a steepler to deep extra cover confidently taken by Aurele.

Ali closed his 6 over spell with figures of 1 – 9 and Junaid was removed from the attack with figures of 7 overs 2 -21.

Opening pace was replaced with a combination of leg spin from Aurele from the top end and off spin from Ernest. Once Aurele found his length he bowled with great promise and has found a way of varying his pace which augurs well for the future returning figures of 6 overs 0 -24. Ernest continued his impressive start to his Fulmer career returning figures of 8 overs 2-13.

Wickets fell steadily interspersed with some occasional lusty blows, however a combination of Peter, 5 overs 0 -20, Coll,y 2.3 overs 1 – 8, and a pacy spell from Zeeshan, 4 overs 2-13, accounted for the tail. FCC’s out cricket was impressive with all chances offered being taken and also featured two run outs – one from a direct hit from Junaid and another from Ali. Wendover finished on 113 all out.

Following another great Tansy Tea, FCC went about chasing what looked like a very gettable target.

Your correspondent and Skipper decided to mark Father’s Day by opening with his son… a decision that he was very soon to embarrassingly regret, contriving to slice a very wide first ball of the innings straight on to his stumps. The sound of poorly disguised laughter could be heard from certain quarters, more especially the car park where doubled up daughter and children looked on.

Aurele was next to go run out after some indecisive runnng and terrific fielding from Wendover.

Ali enlivened a steady start by dispatching a super shot off his legs for 4 and an on driven 6 into Fulmer Common Road. Unfortunately for the capacity crowd (deck chair Dave), Ali (16) fell to a mis-timed drive well taken at point. Brother Zeeshan joined Jamie, who was beginning to warm to the task. Things looked well set until Zeeshan (15) edged to the keeper.

Ernest (7)wasn’t able to hang around for too long being bowled playing across one. Thankfully, Jamie, who had started to play fluently, had taken toll of the bowling finding the boundary with regularity especially with some impressive straight driving.

Junaid also played with freedom and between them they delivered the coup de grace with Junaid finishing the game with a six. Jamie finishing on a jug avoiding 44 not out and Junaid 20 not out. Fulmer finished with 116 – 5 of around 26 overs.

So in the end Fulmer manage a fairly convincing win against great oponents in a game played in good spirit but not without some hiccups and embarrassment!

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