....hot off the press.

"Oh what a day. Early September, back in 2004, what a line up what a day.

The Huncote 2nd team are an often underestimated beast. A rag tag bunch of cricketing hopefuls, each bringing their own brand of uniqueness and desire to an XI wonderfully marshalled by a man who's steadiness is matched only by his baldness. Youthful enthusiasm is tempered by thrilling experience laced with a smidgen of flamboyance. With all this weaponry at their disposal, Burton on the Wolds were surely lambs to the Huncotian slaughter?

The day began with a visit from the 1st team skipper at the teams meeting point, adding more buoyancy and hunger to an already simmering squadron. They drove to the Burton Stadium of Grass with electrifying, yet law abiding, speed, Pete Lill even finding time to showboat with his car bonnet as it bounced freely up and down along the M1. Typical exuberance from the teams opening bat and gully fieldsman. The rest of the team appeared unified by his carefree spirit.

Arrival at the ground was timely as it was prior to the scheduled start of the game. The changing rooms were spacious yet poorly lit. Still, time and resource were found for an impromptu game of changing room cricket. The outfield displayed an alarming amount of residue from its latest mowing and the wicket was greener than a Paul Knibbs bogey leading Max Power to believe a score in the region of 150 would be a match winning total.

The toss came and went, Steadmondo setting the tone for the day by winning, and he shoved the Burton openers onto the pitch using his fore arms and vocal chords quicker than an Al Summer weather prediction. The Huncoteites followed quick smart looking dashing, intimidating yet jubilant in their sparkling whites, throwing the practice ball with carefree abandon dropping it and catching it in equal measure.

The Burton openers had fear in their eyes as JW Smith limbered up. Coming off his short run he still managed fearful pace and a whiley amount of swing. This was too much for Burtons no 2 as he lashed at a wide one, fearing this may be the only time he may get a chance to score a run off the big man all day, and the leather sailed serenely into the buckets of Pete Lill at gully who clasped it without a second thought.

The Burton no 1, a man who could add a lot to the Huncote brand of experience with a shcok of white hair and a truly 1940's batting style, looked on at his younger teammate with a pair of eyes that said "Stupid boy".

The no 3 came and played some fine strokes, but the Burton going was tedious. The score crept along at barely 2 an over and the Huncote boys could sense a total of around 100 was on the scorecards. Benjamin Crossley was bowling tight lines with a hint of pace from the other end aiding JW in his quest for the lowest total of all time.

Jamie Smith belied his rubbish reputation as a poo fielder with a handbag arm to run out the no 3 with a bullet throw from the covers completing a direct hit run out to rejuvenate the flagging spirits of the 2's who enjoy a faster paced, more action packed match up than the Burtonites were willing to provide.

Stratford had now taken over from Smith, his job wonderfully completed and Steady carried on where he had left off adding 3 wickets and extreme economy. Knibbs from the other end bought with him a certain "je ne ce....pa" with his ninja style form of attack bringing him 2 wickets, one of which thanks to a thrilling diving catch from the skip at mid on, typifying the spirit embodied by the 2's of togetherness and complete brilliance.

Sideshow returned for a second spell of bowling as Knibbs tired and picked up 2 well deserved wickets as Burton stuttered and stalled to the 45 over mark, undefeated by the Huncote attack yet woefully short of a commanding target. Some exceptional fielding and disciplined bowling, coupled with a slow outfield, meant Huncote went to the tea break in the pound seats, confident of chasing down a total of 114.

Tea came and went. It was unspectacular but filled a whole. The number 1 item was Chocolate Rice Krispies Cakes.

Lill and Swords, deputising at number 2 for the absent Spencer Snr, donned the batting attire and strode to the wicket knowing the target was well within reach but typically avoiding a sense of complacency an attitude instilled in his troops by the inspirational Stratford.

The going early doors was slow, safe in the knowledge that time was on their side, the openers forged an opening partnership of 41 before Lill was tempted away from his crease by a slow, old spinner but his attempts to hit him into Loughborough town centre were thwarted by a fielder who caught him using his hands.

Al Sumner came to the crease and immediately eased into his own unique batting style, accumulating runs and causing chaos with some interesting running. Swords at the other end was picking up the pace, confidence returning to the once all time great batsman thanks to the reassuring attendance of the big German.

With the Burton target getting ever nearer, Swords' brain blew a gasket and he was bowled by the crafty off spinner bringing Smith to the crease. Moments later Smith had returned to the side lines with a big fat zero alongside his name. He sat down and continued munching his 14th apple of the day. Never the selfish one, he kindly offered his final Pink Lady to the team. Pete Lill took up his offer and was very complimentary of the quality of Smiths apples.

Young 'keeper Hubbard, in a poor run of form was skittle for 4 and suddenly a mild sense of panic was reverberating around the brains of the 2's.

This lasted around 4.5 seconds as Farmer and Webb were united at the crease mixing sure footed defensiveness and thrashing boundary blows to ensure the target was met and surpassed with comparative ease.

A lovely end to the 2's season with a league position achieved that will hopefully ensure a similar league status next season.

Hey now hey now, don't dream it's over.

2005 can't come quickly enough for Steadies band of merry men."

Man of the Match- Max Swords

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