Even better than the World Cup

Thirty Plus have won a game after several weeks of heartbreak. We played the bottom side two weeks ago and were beaten 2 - 1 by a fitter, more committed team. Our goal came from a penalty by Kev although the ball had already been put in the net. The less said about the actual game the better.

Fortunately that win for the bottom placed team meant another side took over that distinction and we played them on Monday. It was a close run thing though and took a last minute goal from Kev to bring the points home.

We'd taken the lead early in the first half with a strike from myself which beat the keeper at the near post. With Dougie in goal we looked solid enough but his only error led to their equalizer as he kicked out at a ball when his hands might have been a better option.

The winner came from a throw in which Matt C played onto Dave in acres of space in front of goal. A loose first touch saw the ball taken a little wide but Dave adeptly swivelled to lash a shot across goal which the keeper only managed to push out into the path of Kev who scuffed a shot into the goal. It was literally the last kick of the game.

Dougie Dom Matt I Matt C Kev 1 (2) Dave (1) Iain 1 (6)

Verwood won at cricket again as well with a victory at Pylewell near Lymington. Fears about missing England's world cup opener proved unfounded as we won the toss and batted. Dan and I esconced ourselves in the clubhouse which provided cooling shade from the exhausting heat and did the scorebook with the TV on. We reported back to the rest of the team about what was happening but most of them weren't interested!

We batted well and scored 183 - 9. I batted near the end and faced one ball for a useful 0 not out leaving my average at 40. Their innings was a pretty good response but they were always behind the scoring rate. They were out in the last of their overs for 153.

My opening spell went for 16 from 7 overs but my return when they were seeking quicker runs near the end meant the gloss was taken off and I finished with 2 for 49 from 12 overs leaving my return as 9 for 120 this year.