A cracking Thursday evening at North Road as Glossop Vets welcomed Bredbury St Marks to the Field of Dreams. Glossop handed debuts to Dom and young Ted W. — the next off the Wilde production line that's served the Vets so well.

Back to the norm, Glossop won the toss and, for a change, chose to bat, hoping for a big score on the fast, scorched outfield.

I could write an in-depth report on the batting, but I'd be here all day — all you need to know is this was Cozball at its best. Everyone attacking, nobody worried about getting out or their average, just full send… and it paid off. Phil, Jamie, Lewis, Tim and Ted M. all retired on 25+. Big shots everywhere — pick of the bunch was Tim's massive six that lost the ball in the car park. House windows, car windows, train windows — nothing was safe.

Tom was run out for 2 (direct hit, fair enough, though the stand-in umpire didn't seem too sure what had happened — he was eventually given out by their players). Dom got a good ball and didn't manage to get off the mark, bowled through the gate. Then the Wildes took us to the magic number: Andy W. finished 17 not out, Ted W. 11 not out. Glossop had 200 in their sights all innings, and it came down to the very last ball — Andy W. on strike, the ball whizzing through to the keeper, but Ted W.'s quick single got Glossop over the line. 200 up!

Knowing good bowling would make this an easy win, Glossop attacked in the field with a slip and two close catchers in place. Ted M. and Andy W. opened up — Ted M. aggressive, but it was Andy W. who struck first, bowling in place of Tom (shoulder injury) to bag his customary yearly wicket when the opener holed out to Jamie at mid-off. Finished with figures of 1 for 6.

Taylor and Ted W. came on next. Taylor struck with his very first ball, a swinging delivery nicked through to Tom behind the stumps. Ted W. bowled with good pace and a tight line, unlucky not to add a wicket.

Tim and Dom bowled the next four — no wickets, but good discipline from Tim. Dom struggled in his first over but was much improved in his second.

Lewis and Mark were next up, both picking up wickets (both catches) as Bredbury continued to struggle. Mark was unlucky not to grab a second when a fizzing delivery took the edge and flew high to Phil at first slip, who couldn't quite hold on.

Phil and Jamie bowled the final four. Bredbury were swinging freely by now, offering a few chances, one of which was snapped up by Mark off Jamie's bowling — leaving Bredbury 120 for 5 and well beaten.

Highlight of the innings: after Glossop's fourth wicket, Bredbury sent in their next batter. Bat — yes. Box — yes. Gloves — yes. Pads? Forgotten. Off he trudged to fetch them, and he didn't last long once he was back out there.

A superb performance from the Vets — exactly what we're aiming for every game: attack, attack, attack. 10 wins from 11 this season.

Man of the Match: Lewis — a superb 28 not out, a wicket, and he ran himself into the ground in the field (even if he did kick one over the boundary for four).

Up The Vets 🍻🏏