The 2As welcomed Upton to Mere this Saturday, having beaten them in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Dids got back to winning ways last week at Lindow and knew that another win would put them back in contention for a top two finish.

This was to be Sunil Singh’s last game for Didsbury, playing his 175th match before getting on a flight to India with his family. Extra drinks and food was brought to Mere for after the game, and for once we had a few spectators throughout the day!

Upton, who chased 256 last weekend against Grappenhall, were without a few familiar faces, while Dids also fielded a much-changed side. Young James Coventry was playing his 2As debut (I believe), while Tom Brady, Billy Hoye, Nikash Hinduja, and Mr Sunil Singh were back in the side.

Kudos to the groundsman (a first for this year) for creating a solid deck and a freshly cut outfield. It actually looked quite nice turning up in the morning. A fairly uneventful ground prep and warm-up too. Upton were slow to arrive and get started so, when Rehmani won the toss and decided to put them in the field, there was understandably some glum faces among the opposition.

Myself and Brady opening at Mere again (potentially for the last time). The pitch looked better than it played initially. Some tennis ball bounce early on and Liam Sundve in particular was getting some nip. We started solidly, scoring mainly at one end while trying to see out Sundve’s opening spell, but then it was a comedy of errors from Upton.

Brady must’ve been dropped 2 or 3 times, one of which was straight up to the keeper, who stood there, got his gloves ready, and the ball went straight through them. Another was a chip to point, where the fielder moved backwards, tripped and almost got hit on the head by the ball, before tipping it behind him. I was also dropped at gully early on. I think there were 10 dropped chances in total during our innings. A day to forget for Upton, but at least many of them found the funny side.

We put on 77 for the first wicket before I skied a slog sweep, and Upton eventually caught one. Brady soon followed for a well-made 43, caught behind to the keeper standing up. A solid foundation was set but the two quick wickets gave Upton some impetus and we needed to rebuild. Lucky for us we had Billy and Jacob Mills at the crease, so runs continue to flow quickly. The pair put on 50 in quick time before Jacob was bowled trying to tee-up the spinner.

Dids were 139-3 when Sunil came to the crease for a final time. His first scoring shot was a huge six down long-on. Trademark Sunil. But he played second fiddle for much of this partnership. Billy was seeing it like a beach-ball, dispatching it to all parts. He hit some huge sixes over square leg and straight down the wicket. It was a seriously good knock. In the case that Ryan Wilson is reading this, I’d like to add there was a drop or two during Billy’s innings. I reckon he needs to do it again at Sale next week..

Anyway, Billy and Sunil took Dids past 200 with 10 overs or so to go. We were probably on for 270/280 at this stage. Par was probably more like 220. Other than their opener, Upton didn’t bowl well on it at all. It was flattening out, however, so we needed as many runs as possible. Billy was bowled with the score on 220-4 and with that the innings stalled. Nikash and Sunil followed shortly after, the latter to a round of applause when walking off for a well-made 30, meaning he’s scored 360 odd runs this season (in the league) and is currently the 2As top run-scorer this season. A great effort considering he has 12 wickets as well this year.

We managed to get our score up to 249 in the 50 overs, a solid effort at Mere. It was good to see James Coventry bat and finished not out at the end. I was told that he is the top run-scorer in Sunday cricket this year for Didsbury players. The 2As were the much happier side at half time.

We knew we had plenty, and perhaps that translated into how we approached the second innings. It was quite a low energy fielding display and there were some drop catches. Aaron Grimbaldeston bowled well in his opening spell, and was unlucky to not pick up a wicket. Rehmani wasn’t at his best, but claimed both openers in his first spell, one of which was an incredible catch by Brady standing up to the stumps. Upton then put together a partnership and nerves crept in. They always need a run a ball, but at drinks the score was practically the same as where we were at this stage of our innings.

Both Potter (48) and Di Stefano (53) batted well but we did put down a few chances in this partnership. Up steps golden-arm, Sunil Singh, to break the deadlock. He and Haaris bowled controlled but tested both batters. Sunil bowled wicket-to-wicket and cleaned-up Potter, bringing much-needed relief to a flat 2As. Di Stefano then chucked his wicket away by chipping a drive to Rehmani at mid-off. It was one of the best spells of bowling I’ve seen from Haaris, who bowled 13 overs straight through. With the score now 156-4 (off 35 overs), Dids were definitely favourites again.

Upton capitulated due to great bowling by Haaris and Rehmani, losing 5 wickets for 19 runs, with the former taking a blinding diving catch off his own bowling. That Upton batter doesn’t know how unlucky he is. In the over beforehand, Haaris let one through his legs for a boundary, but when it’s him bowling he manages a one-handed reaction catch. Hmmm.. I’m sure we will be hearing about Haaris’ catch for years to come (from Haaris).

His excellent spell (4-51 off 13 overs) left Dids in a commanding position. Rehmani picked up two quick wickets, meaning that he’s jibbed a 5fer again, but has also extended his position at the top of the league’s wicket-taking leaderboard. Upton were 175-9. The game was over and thoughts shifted to the chilled beers in the brand-new fridge we have at Mere. Unfortunately, the Upton lads didn’t get the memo and stuck it out for the last wicket partnership. They put on 35 before Billy, who got the nod ahead of Sunil as a seam option to bring on, got his first Dids wicket, meaning he is now officially an all-rounder (like me).

From ball one, the 2As were always ahead in this game. It was a commanding victory and the back-to-back results means that Didsbury are fourth, just 16 points behind Lindow in first place. Lindow and Maritime both lost their games, and we still get to play both Maritime and Alvanley, so a top two finish this season is very much in our hands.

We travel to Sale next weekend, which I’m sure will be a game played in the right spirit and without any controversy at all..

Great sharing the field with you for the last couple of years, Sunil. Wishing you and your family all the best when you’re in India!

Picture: Post-game drinks with everyone.