The 2As started the day in third place, ten points behind second but also not far off the teams in mid-table. It was an important game for us, and we wanted to take revenge for the loss earlier in the season. In that game, Bowden batted first and got 200+, and then rolled us for not many..

It was a much changed team to the game last week against Marple, with Haaris, Shabih, Nikash and Sean all brought back into the side. The players got to the ground at different times meaning that not much of a warm-up was done. With it being 25+ degrees, there wasn’t too many people complaining about that. I’m not sure if Rehmani won or lost the toss, but he wanted to bowl first anyway which was not the most popular decision in the changing room when we were getting our factor 50 and whites on.

Rehmani and Aaron had the new rock on what was a flat deck, and the pair did a great job. While not too many chances were created (I did shell one at first slip - practically behind Archie to be fair), the run rate was curbed. After the first 10 overs, Bowden were 21-0 and Baseem came on to replace Aaron, who had seemed to have injured his back during his spell. The rate continued at just over two an over as we neared drinks. The pressure built caused a loose shot off Rehmani, caught by Sean in cover, to cap off a great first session.

Shortly after drinks, Baseem surprised the other Bowden opener (as well as all of us), to get one to turn and bowl the batter for his first of the day. This brought in Graham, who had scored 80 odd in the game in April, and who quickly got off the mark with a six down the ground against OG.

I almost forgot… we managed the throw five overthrows the over before getting the second wicket. A comical mix-up and classic village cricket. The Bowden batters were at the same end by the time the throw came in, missed at the stumps and then through the legs of the fielder backing up for four. Not naming any names but it was hilarious.

Bowden rebuilt their innings with a 54-run partnership. It was spin at both ends and rate was kept in check. The score was 108-3 when Haaris got his first wicket, a genuine edge to the skipper in slip. It ended a good innings from young Bowden batted, Gadsby. OG followed that up with a wicket of his own, in front of his grandad no less, leaving Bowden 113-4 off 35 overs. I’d say we were the happier of the two teams at the second drinks break, as we thought it was probably 220 par.

After drinks, Bowden picked up the pace, but the dangerous Graham holed out to long on off Haaris for a better than run-a-ball 37. Rehmani then claimed his second the following over, meaning that the home side were 134-6 off 39 overs. At this point, we were confident of keeping them under 200 but a really sloppy and tired final 10 overs in the scorching heat meant that Didsbury needed to chase 212 to win the game. This was still just below what we thought was par, but heads were down and the ascendancy was with Bowden.

After getting a first-baller last game against these, I was absolutely bricking it to be honest. The pitch was still flat, though, and the outfield was quick and bobbly. Lots of value for runs. As I prepared for another in-swinging yorker off the left-arm opener, I was pleasantly surprised to get one short and wide, starting the innings off with a boundary.

That was about as high as our innings got unfortunately. Richards, who was playing his first 2s game of the season, having been dropped down from the 1s, cleaned up Shabih, me and then caught Nikash off his own bowling all within the first few overs, leaving the 2As perilously at 9-3. He then clean-bowled Archie for his fourth in just six overs with a ball that would have been appreciated by Freddie Flintoff, who happened to be in the nets at the time with one of his sons.

Sunil and Sean played a few good shots but the innings never really got going. Seven of our dismissals were bowled. It was swinging a lot early doors but, for me, that’s a sign that the collective concentration of the team was pretty poor while batting. Definitely one to forget. The 2As were bowled-out for just 79 and fully deserved the loss. This meant that we’ve dropped down to fifth, with Sale, Alvanley and Macclesfield all losing (the latter to Grappers, who claimed their second win on the bounce!). The most bizarre result of the season so far happened at Marple though, with the home side coasting to victory against Bramhall. They were chasing 202 and were 182-3, then 201-5, and then 201 all out!

We travel to our friends at Timperley on Thursday evening for the next round of the T20 competition, looking to put things right. If last season’s games versus Timperley are anything to go by, I would highly recommend coming to watch, or perhaps buying some popcorn and get it up on the live stream.

Macclesfield next for us at Mere!

PS: Match report by Tom Beresford.