Robin Mackrell tasted defeat for the first time this year as the Badgers crashed to a two-wicket defeat against Seveno. Despite an unbeaten half-century from a rampant Hamblin, the Badgers could only amass 181 all out – a target that never looked quite enough.
It could have been a lot worse for the Badgers, with five of their batsmen departing the crease in the space of four overs in a horrendous passage of play before the drinks interval. It was left to Hamblin and his BOOMSTICK to mount a counter-attack, flaying shots to all corners of the ground and grinning at the bowlers every step of the way.
Hamblin’s 59 not out marked his first half-century for the club and, in a piece of clever psychological captaincy, he was immediately thrown the ball and asked to torment Seveno again. Together with Lewis, Thomas, Mackrell and Mcluskey, wickets were taken at regular intervals but the Seveno target grew steadily nearer as well. Even the thought of being watched online by an unprecedented two followers on Warman’s Periscope app couldn’t quite give the Badgers the final push they needed and Seveno made it over the line with two wickets still in hand.
Despair quickly turned to celebration shortly after the game, with Mackrell receiving positive news about his Kung Fu black belt grading. He is now officially a ninja and is sharpening his shuriken ready for the King’s Road. Metaphorically speaking of course.