The West Ashling wicket was a place of heartache and what could have been. The only blemish in a very successful 2025. Things were looking very bleak with a weather forecast prediction of rain ALL day. The skipper was harbouring an injury from the Sunday before. There was a huge disappointment, from the Sunday opposition not being able to host a game, just a few days before. Not a promising situation. The towel was about to be thrown into the middle of the ring. However, with grace of God, a very keen and an enthusiastic host skipper, the Ashling crew were deploying the Tarps. Even after a 3pm deluge, the sun god Ra, summoned his strength and broke through the cumulonimbus clouds. Game on!

The Lavant Loon arrived in dribs and drabs. Tam the skipper had a quick inspection of a very green pitch. On First inspection, it did feel quite firm. After calling tails …..and failing, the team were asked to bowl first. Decisions were made and it was time for action. The bursar was asked to open from the far end and what a start. Ashling assisted with a very fair umpire decision, ajudicating with an LBW. Willy Mac opened in tandem with the bursar and was very miserly, with a Maiden. A couple of boundaries from the opposition…. then success. Bowled! Mc Claren-Clark. A wicket for the left arm all rounder. Two down. On the leg side, was a short-armed predator, ready to pounce on any ball in his domain. A quick throw at the stumps and the other top order batsmen was run out. Ashling were reeling at 12/3 off the 4th over. By this time Justin decided to arrive at the game (Luckily we had a young, spare Mc Claren Clark fulfilling the fielding duties), Another superb delivery from Dave had castled the number 4 batsmen. There was air of confidence. 

After the full complement of overs. Dave finished with an impressive 2-10 off 4 and Will Mac concluded with 1-8. The economical left after was devastating on the pitch that was playing like the first day at Trent Bridge. A dream start. 

It was time for the other Will to take the reigns. A few loose balls were despatched to the boundary, going for 13 off the over. Ashling were away. Only 1 over left from the far end and the skipper responded with a ‘very plumb’ LBW. Will came back with two tight overs, followed by another tight over, from the captain. At this point, the ankle injury was becoming an issue. Calling upon a very experienced bowling line up, Chris McLean was chomping at the bits, for an opportunity to unleash his new modelled action. Bowling with a mixture of flight, pace and guile, Chris was only 1-5 off 3 overs. On the other end it was time to unleash the 6ft 5 giant Martin Ford. Looking to emulate the success of Chrissy Mac, he resorted to off spin. The Ashling crew, were in desperate need of runs. At 41-5 off 10, the writing was on the wall, but their Number six had other plans. 7 boundaries off the spin twins and the score was accelerating. Maclean and Ford picked up a wicket in the process. 80 for 6 off 18, then 84-7 off 19. A massive 16 off the last Maclean over and they had amassed 102 off the 20 overs. Chris finished with 1-22 off 4 and Martin had a stronger 2nd over finishing (only 4 runs off his 2nd) with 1-20. Was this the psychological 3 figure number the opposition needed?

The total was set. A respectable come back from Ashling, after a slow start and a flurry of wickets. 

Rain clouds were on the horizon and time was of the essence. Iain blow (the Sunday skipper) was asked to open up with the devastating Joe Seaman. West Ashling began well with a tricky leg spinner and medium pacer. Keeping to the required run rate, the openers were circumspect and treated the bowlers with respect. After getting used to the varied bounce and pace, Joe and Iain began the onslaught after 6 overs. The boundary was beginning to get peppered. Straight drives. Mooing it to cow and cutting away like a knife through butter. Joe retired on 25 and Ian was dismissed on a respectable 22. Two new batsmen were inserted at the crease. Steve Day and Martin Ford. Looking to get on with the game, Fordy struck the ball too well on the on side and found the only fielder in the deep. Steve eased his way with some quick singles and then unleashed two huge maximums. (With elegance and timing) One into the carpark and the other into the trees. Suddenly disaster! One hit too many and he was dismissed. Steve ended on a very valuable 22 in quick time. The score was 60-2 off 9. Will T looked to keep the runs flowing, but was bowled for 1. It was time for the pair of Macs. Willie Mac and Chris ‘John’ Maclean. Rain was beckoning and light was practically non-existent. Without the luminous pink ball, it was almost an impossible task to win from this position. It was a race against the elements. Water was on the way, Earth (being one with the pitch) Fire and Wind was required. The skipper was ready and padded up, and Justin was called in from a mammoth umpiring stint. However the tables were immediately turned. With some brutal hitting, and quick singles, The total was knocked off by the 14th over. A Massive 6 wicket win with 6 overs to spare. The big ‘W’ from the Mighty Lavant Loons. Revenge was sweet against a strong Ashling side. As the players entered the pavillion, the rain gods released its frustration back upon the farmers field. A celebratory drink in Richmond Arms were in order, after the first win of the T20 Season. The next game is a home game vs the Taverners. Will the run continue? Tune in….. same bat time……same bat channel.