The omens were good for this one after the owner of the dog that cocked it's leg against Taffy's flag bag said -
"you'll win today then!". And so it was.

On a wet, windy, overcast very cold day with temperatures not much above 9 degrees, stand in captain Tony Kutner won the toss and in traditional N2 manner put the oppo in to bat in what had been decided to be a 30 over game.
There was a frenzied pre match scramble for extra jumpers, and layers were frantically being added to protect against the biting cold. Those with two jumpers were not given to sharing with those with non! There were also some definite non regulation attire being worn and the Damart was being worn by those who knew what was good for them.

Shailesh Bhatt opened the bowling in his first game of the year with a spring in his step despite his ankle trouble and bowled tight and acurately taking 2 wickets in his 6 over spell for 22 runs, including their opening batsman in the first over clean bolwed middle stump.
Matt Hawkes continued the attack with some pacey agressive bowling also taking 2 wickets for 19 in his 5 overs.
James Thompson bowled notably well keeping the oppo pinned down with some very straight stuff taking 1 wicket lbw from his 4 overs for only 4 runs.
With his usual pace and accuracy Paul Dodd the engine in the bowling attack, bowled a very tight 5 overs taking 3 for only 13 runs, two for ducks.
Olly Butler robbed of an over by his confused captain bowled 1 over for 2 runs.
Finishing the bowling attack was the "golden arm" Dave Newbery bowling against the tail enders. It was noted later that the combined age of bowler and their number eleven batsman had totalled 141. However the wily old timer managed to outwit the youngster Newbery and ended up 3 not out.
The Woodland's innings was ended when Parker took a catch a silly mid off from Newbery's bowling.

In the freezing conditions the firey N2 had bowled the oppo out for a mere 70 in 25 overs. The conditions it seemed had inspired the bowlers to just get it over as quickly as possible.

Worth mentioning also is a great performance behind the stumps by Newham including a quick catch and stumping from a tremendous Matt Hawkes throw to run out the oppo number 4.

After sandwiches and plenty of hot cups of tea with fingers tightly wrapped around, Parker and Dyer S opened the batting.
In traditional dogged manner they had a steady start not doing too much to warm or exite their now hypothermic team mates, but seeing off some good straight balls moving off the seam. With the run rate racing along at 2.1 an over, and 50 reached without loss both batsman took the attack to the bowlers, and attempting a leg side flick Parker was bowled stepping across his stumps - again!
Josh newham took to the crease, but was only required to support Dyer who finished off the innings with a well hit 4, making a notable 37 not out.

In 23.3 overs N2 won by 9 wickets.

Bowling                Overs        Mdns        Runs        Wkts 

Shailesh Bhatt         6              0                22            2
Matt Hawkes            5              0                19           2 
Paul Dodd                5              0                13           3 
James Thopmson    4              1                 4            1
Dave Newbery         4               1                4            2 
Olly Butler                1               0                2            0

Extras 13
70  for 10 (All out)

Batting

Dave Parker            Bowled      29
Simon Dyer              Not out      37 
Josh Newham          Not out       0 

Extras  8
Total  74 for 1 Match Won 

Man of the match - Simon Dyer