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 Oliver Morgans hit a six on Sunday. Yes it was against some very slow bowling on a tiny ground and it was a top edge, but it was a six.

Oliver Morgans quoted as "completely delighted for the man, the record couldn't be held by a nicer guy".

Please see the match report for more details.

On Saturday Marathon Man John Lucarotti made an unbeaten half century for the Village. Batting at 3, a position recently vacated by the Welsh Dragon, Lucarotti found himself in early after the loss of Hindle in the 3rd over.  Undaunted, Lucarotti steadied the ship and then set about destroying the John Minshull XI attack.  On 49, an anxious crowd awaited the big moment, and we were not let down as the great man launch a massive six over mid wicket to reach the milestone.  Only a compulsory retirement rule could prevent what seemed a certain century in the making.  Nonetheless a brilliant knock and a personal highest score for John - congratulations.

Not to be out done, Ben 'Bun' Hampton returned his best bowling figures for the Village, 4-8 off 6 overs.  Ben was desperately unlucky not to have a 5-fer after a seemingly plumb LBW shout was turned down.

In only his second innings for the Village, Nick Troja has made a masterful unbeaten 115 to equal the highest individual score for the Village.  After losing the early wickets of Bowman and Pontin within the first 4 overs, Troja and junior partner Morgans worked hard to consolidate the innings, ultimately compiling a partnership of 99 before Morgans was dismissed.  

Thereafter wickets fell regularly at the other end while Troja passed his 50 and accelerated his innings.

In a post match press conference Troja expressed his thanks to Craig Woodhouse for his support and guidance in the later part of his innings, where they combined for an unbeaten 54 run partnership. 

Troja has rocketed himself to the top of the Village average board for the 2011 season at 124, closely followed by White 97, Donald 91, and in seventh position Morgans with 34.

After 7 overs and figures of 0-30, Craig Woodhouse was standing at fine leg hand on hips, a dejected man.  The Crouch End CC middle order had despatched the Louse's bowling to all parts of the Crouch End arena and a bowling change for the final over the innings looked inevitable.  However new captain, Eklavya 'keep the faith' Gupte showed tremendous belief in the Louse entrusting him to bowl out the final over. 

The first two balls of the final over were textbook Louse, perfect line, perfect length, and undeniably quick.  All the batsmen could do was manage singles.  Ball 3 the Louse unleashed his prime wicket taking delivery, the inswinging dipper, that predictably took middle stump.  Enter batsman number 9, 3 balls remaining in the innings, and full of intent to use his many years of experience to clear the boundary.  The Louse responds with his other key weapon, the sucker ball.  The sucker ball is much the same as the inswinging dipper, except given a little more flight and pitching a fraction shorter.  The batsman advances and attempts a lofted drive, stumped by keeper Ilyas!

Enter batsman 10, the Louse all fired up and calling all 9 fielders into catching positions.  A carbon copy of the sucker ball delivered, same result, with the simplest of stumpings completed by the VCC's premier keeper.  

Congatulations Craig!   

At the crease Harty is an aggressive brute: a slim version of Shane Watson, who doesn't need to follow-through to gain a boundary. Like Watson, his cover drives and pulls are smoothly executed, though that won't be much consolation to the Strollers bowlers, who were bludgeoned for more sixes than even the deep diving Ben Hampton believes he can manage in 2011.

I have a more classical technique, perhaps favouring the offside more than Harty.  We complemented each other well, putting on more than 120, with Van Der Parp finishing not out on 18, and Harty not out on 103.  Steve was on 70 with 34 needed for the win and 30 for the ton, and managed to achieve his ton with some outstanding hitting including 3 sixes in the final over.  He brought up both the win and his ton, with a 6.  We had chased down 150 inside 16 overs: a superb effort.

We retired to the pavilion to enjoy a cold beer, congratulate Steve on his ton and (naturally) remind Olly than I am currently ahead of him in the 2011 runs table!  All that remains are the awards:

Man of the Match:  Fine performances from Matty Boa and Steve Harty, but the man-of-the match award goes to Van Der Parp for his crucial innings, superb cover fielding and helpful advice to skipper Gupte.

Village Idiot: David Ireland made a brief late appearance, but even that wasn’t sufficient to keep this award from Olly Morgans, whose decision to welsh on paying a shot at the ball which bowled him will live long in the memory!