While Ruislip Victoria's league season avoided the volcanic ash and safely took-off over the May Day Bank Holiday skies, the friendly sides are still waiting in the hangars with all games so far being victim of the erupting volcano (aka the weather).

Field Marshall Krunic took his 1st XI squadron for an away sortee and took to the skies to start their Divsion 1 BCL campaign over Emmbrook & Bearwood. After a sticky start and some early casualties (10-3), a great partnership between fighter-ace Prashant (97) & Wing-commander Puneet (76) meant that Ilija's pilots navigated their way to 259/7 in the alloted 45 overs. In reply, E&B boys felt the force of a new three-wave attack with "veteran" Carl (3-15) and new Top Guns, Shahid (4-50) & Ravi (3-34) doing the damage in bowling out the oppo for 160 to claim a maximum 35pt win.

Jim's first game leading the 2s was to defend the home skies around Greenford against Welford Park's Magnificant 7 and had to be aware as there a wounded pilot trying to make a maiden umpiring flight. On a day when a game was in doubt, a delayed start and the match switched to the top square, the opposition pulled a sneaky manoeuvre and offered to bowl first and take to the field with only 7. Faced with a barrage of a drying wicket, lush outfield, accurate bowling and inspired fielding which made scoring difficult, Jim's boys still soared their way to 199-4 from the 45 overs. This was built around Bill "B-52" Bailey flying throughout for 81no with a few howitzers being hit from Fu (including 2 sixes) & JJ.

After an improved re-fuelling stop (warm scones anyone, what what!!), despite the lack of numbers, WP started off with nothing to lose with 14 coming off the first over. The heavy scoring continued mainly by "Red Baron" Westbrook but when Shiv's radar homed in on the other opener's stumps, the RVs scored their first hit. With the threat of spin "twins" ChrisG (a welcome return to operations!) and SimonD (2 wickets) slowing the run-rate, WP were 139-3 (effectively for 7) in the 26th over with everything still to play for. However, straight after the 3rd wicket was taken the heavens opened. It was wisely agreed to abandon operations and both sides had to be happy with their work for the day - due to WPs higher run rate, their 7 men claimed 20pts while Jim had to be happy with 10 but at least the dogfight was not lost!

Unfortunately the rain that came (from Spain?) on Saturday night put pay to any rivalries on Sunday (even a planned rendezvous at Lords was aborted) and even flooded our new Monday host's ground so no play would have been possible. This left us grounded with nothing more to do than twiddle our thumbs and polish the propellers.

I'm sure our luck and the weather will improve soon so have a great Star Wars day - May the Fourth be with you!!

Roger & Out!
Andrew [AKA the maiden umpire]