The Jolly Boys Cricket Club

"Is there anybody there ?" The players are arriving and Dave produces a quite unexpected cloud of ectoplasm. The spirits are with us tonight !

But so are a spectacular display of clouds. Mr Sun might well have his hat on but Mr Rain looks like he might put in a performance.

But on with the game Wyre have taken advantage of some simply terrible Jollys fielding to amass a very decent 122. Which means it's time for Tom and Powelly to open and, in Frosty's absence, for Dave to take first go at umpiring.

And Tom starts us off with a cracking shot to send a wide off to the boundary.

At the other end Powelly is keen to get going and soon gets off the mark.

Botheration. No sooner as he got started Powelly becomes victim to a Cotam Hall special as the ball jags back to take out his off stump.

So in comes Jol who gets underway with a couple of fine shots.

And he's not hanging around today as Jol soon makes his 25 and returns triumphant to the pavillion !

So in comes Ogs but it's not his week as he joins Powelly by making a quick single before getting caught.

Tom has now joined Jol by retiring after making 28 so in comes Ian with plenty of runs still to get but with plenty of overs left to face.

Ably supported at the other end by Dave who looks to push the score along.

Back at base camp the tension is mounting as Ian has been bowled for 7 and Dave has managed to run himself out on 5. So Wyre are now right back in the game.

Back at the crease Ez gets off the mark but is then caught to join Ogs and Powelly in this weeks "1 and out" club. It's starting to look grim for the Jollys.

Just when the ship needed steadying in comes Coker who manages to make a solid 15 before being caught. But those vital runs have brought us back from the brink and we're still in the hunt.

Well your humble scribe is gearing up to bat so Dave takes the opportunity to show me Jols bat. And the only marks is a pink dot right in the sweet spot ! (Wyre were using a pink ball - ed.)

Despite the evening sun there's a chill wind and the Jollys are forced to turn into hoodies.

Well it might not be much of a picture (or a batting stance -ed.) but Dave's advice seems to have done the trick as your humble scribe manages to get 10 runs before being run out with an over to go. So we're all set for a big finish as we've got Jol on strike, Tom back at the other end, 9 required to win and 6 balls reamining

Well what a finish ! Jol simply attacks the bowling and the first three balls go for 2, 4 and 2 to level the scores. And with 3 blass remaining h cracks off another 4 to seal victory for the Jollys !

Which means it's all back to the Old Town Hall for another splendid tray of butties !

But that's not all this week as Des pulls out the stops with a splendid extra tray containing a selection of Indian snacks.

Well it doesn't take much to entertain the Jollys as Dave finished the day with a game of imaginary pool with his imaginary friends. (This wouldn't be too bad but he still managed to lose by potting the imaginary black - ed.)