The Old just too much for the young....and Nick Chapman!

Chris Giles lost the toss and put in to bowl on a fresh wicket with a bumpy outfield at their new home ground - Bristol Cathedral Choir School on Beggar Bush Lane. It was a warm, sunny day troubled by a fierce wind that brought out jumpers and jackets for the Bedminster parents in support.

The YMCA openers began confidently, rarely looking in trouble on a slow, green pitch. Anything wide or shot popped up and hovered like a swing ball. Bowlers Alfie Derrick and David Peel toiled away against the wily, opening pair. They built a partnership of 129, pulling balls to midwicket or clubbing them through the covers. Following drinks, they were both run out as they tried to increase the pace. Merlin Goldman bowled the number 3, left hander Sam Hygate, missing a straight one looking to clear midwicket. Zulkarnain Butt bowled a tidy spell without reward in the middle of the innings.

George Harris and Regan Burton chipped in with good, short spells and Chris Giles took two wickets keeping the ball up to the bat. His second wicket came from a wide delivery hit to mid off which was caught by Merlin Goldman taking a superb diving catch to his right. The innings concluded on 246 for 6 with several drop catches leaving the home side wondering what might have been.

After tea, Dave Peacock began like he’d left the gas on, racing to 24 off 18 balls before being bowled. Nick Chapman went cheaply. Chris Giles joined Danny Constable and the comeback began. Up until drinks, we had the required run rate. Danny finally lost his final life after he’d been dropped twice by the same fielder, when he was bowled after reaching 50. Merlin Goldman joined Chris Giles at the crease who continued his form of the previous week. A mix-up and bat drop left Merlin Goldman stumped trying to return to he crease. Chris Giles kept up the pace and kept the unlikely win on target as he was joined by a succession of youngsters unable to clear the tight inner ring of fielders. Chris Giles was finally out trying to leave a ball - watching in horror as it popped up and clipped the top of his bat, looping to the keeper. Zulkamain Butt and David Peel added a few runs before the 5ths were all out for 206.