16/08/2026
Blyth win a nail-biter by 3 runs in the top-of-the-table clash
You can all guess who won the toss... it wasn't Rhino.
Mansfield put Blyth in to bat, hoping to roll them for 88 again, just as they had earlier in the season.
Luke and Scott made a solid start, scoring quickly with some excellent shot selection, until that leave from Scott. There are two types of leave, and every player searching for the lost ball had a perfect view. They had all given it out before the umpire eventually raised his finger. Everyone was hoping for another of Dan's game-changing innings, but it wasn't to be as he was nonchalantly caught by the fielder who had spent the warm-up dropping everything. Mr blobby Posh and Oli started to rebuild until the superstar gently chipped the ball back to the bowler, not MVP points today.
Oli looked good for his 30 off 29, but was given out 'caught behind'. He may actually have been happier had he been given LBW. It would certainly have been closer to the correct decision.
Bateman came in to add some stability down the order and settled in well, looking in control after his week off. He was instructed by Rhino to see the innings through, then immediately received a seed that was too good for most. Every run counted in a low-scoring game, so Fish, Ethan and George playing their own game of who could win the duck hat didn't help. Rhino was left stranded at the end of the innings, looking every bit like a man who could have gone on to score 50. Blyth all out for 96 and Mansfield were confident of inflicting another heavy defeat over them.
A strong team talk from Fish had the players fired up and Oli led the choir of encouragement, still fuming over the decision when batting. Rumour has it that his voice may not return by the time he's back to work in September.
Mansfield came out swinging and the players on the sideline were suggesting the game would be won within 10 overs. Rhino and Posh responded to the big swings of the bat and kept putting the ball in difficult areas, picking up 2 wickets each. Big celebrations followed each wicket, with tempers briefly flaring after one in particular. Luke, ever the polite and respectful player, declined the invitation to settle things in the car park. He was later seen heading off to brush his teeth at the drinks break, following some unsolicited feedback from the opposition captain. It wasn't the only disagreement Luke had during the innings, when the game had to be paused for Rhino and Luke to finish their spat over where the fielders should be.
Great energy in the field kept the pressure on throughout the game. Ginner persevered in the afternoon sun, wondering when these heatwaves would finally stop torturing him. Maybe it was sunstroke that caused him to turn a 0 into a 4. Ethan came close to putting an end to the King’s sprinting career when he rugby-tackled him over the boundary while saving a couple of precious runs. Thankfully, he recovered quickly and kept things tight in the field, making sure there were no easy singles on offer.
Same old story: the batters thought they were in for an easy ride after seeing off the opening bowling pair. Maybe the Danger nickname hasn't made its way to Mansfield yet. They weren't ready for Fish to reel in more wickets. Bateman kept things tight at one end, making the most of the footmarks to concede just three runs from his four overs while also picking up a wicket. The Prince made a special appearance when bringing on a replacement bail that the batter mistakenly thought was the ball when trying to hit Bateman for 4. Bateman could easily have added to his tally, but didn’t seem to enjoy quite the same fortune with the decisions as Mansfield had in the first innings.
Fish cleaned up at the other end, taking 5 wickets, including the big wicket of Worsley, who looked set to win the game when Mansfield required just 6 runs with 3 wickets remaining. One big hit and it was game over. 91-7 quickly became 92-9. Blyth held their catches well, with Oli and Ethan showing no signs of pressure when taking some high ones (aren't they all for Oli though?). Fish kept his cool and took the last wicket with just 3 runs required to spark celebrations that lasted well into the night.
The fines tin was topped up healthily once again and the fresh W*****r (winner maybe) of the week hat looked good on Scott, while the King watered his wicket sporting the duck hat, won by virtue of facing one fewer ball than Fish.
Great support on the sidelines throughout the game and it was a good turn out to celebrate Blyth returning to the top of the table and Ethan's birthday. Everyone was in good spirits as the drinks flowed and those who stayed late enough were rewarded with the sweet sound of Noel's voice. Alfie’s new celebration song was discovered, with the whole of Blyth able to hear his name being sung.
A week off for the first team next week before three vital games to decide who will win the league now that Blyth are just 3 points clear at the top.
