After amassing an ominous total of 321 the week before, the P1 Bombers set a challenging task for themselves on Saturday; taking 20 wickets. And while it was not achieved, the 17 wickets that were taken, were brilliant.

Here’s a run down of the day:
 
1. Bowled Smith, caught McIntyre: Absolutely positive you won’t hear the end of this catch, and will see it 1 million times. Absolute SCREAMER taken by Em in close under the helmet to get the day going for the Bombers on the second ball of the day, and to welcome back Smitty, who hadnt played for Empy since round 2!
2. Bowled Binch, caught Smith: Great set up of a key Brighton player, Smitty gleefully taking the catch at short cover.
3. Bowled Beams, caught Smith: Skipper couldn’t get enough, being involved in the first 3 wickets!
4. Bowled Smith, caught Hulett: Sorry make that first 4! Comfortable catch by Huey to remove a batter who was playing a few shots, including an uppercut that Strano and Schilov were jealous of, not jealous of facing Smittys ferocious bowling including some excellent bouncers!
5. Bowled Binch, caught Hulett: After Smitty softened the batter up with the bodyline series, Crackers produced the goods with an out-swinging delivery that snicked the edge - standard Binchy!
6. LBW STRANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only non-Spirit player to take a wicket for the day, Molly collected the prize wicket of Brighton’s mainstay.  Hero!
7. Caught and bowled Beams: Beams removes another player, simple catch straight back at her.
8. LBW Binch: After nearly taking out leg stump of this batter about 14 times, Breeza trapped her in front.
9. Bowled Beams, caught Bramley: It shouldn’t say caught, it should say swallowed, Wiggles nearly knocked over by the force of the ball had clean as dukes at mid wicket
10. LBW Beams: Smitty: “Can you please bowl a full toss?” Look at the rewards Beamsy.
 
Second Innings
 
11. Bowled Smith, caught Sabatino: Not wasting any time, Smitty and Sab at short cover remove the first batter on the first ball! Woop!
12. Bowled Smith, caught Caluzzi: Although the team name, ‘The Dropped Catches’ was going through a players head, Lou takes the catch safe as houses at point!
13. Bowled Smith, caught by someone: memory is failing with this wicket, sure it was a good one Smitty!
14. Caught and bowled Binch: Removing the lefty is always helpful for the fielders, well done Crackers. Oh and the catch was ok too.
15. LBW Smith: Smitty is just dominating the Brighton line up they are 5/7 at this stage!
16. Bowled Smith, caught Beams: Jimmy takes a ripper in first slip to help Smitty to a 5 wicket bag! Great to have you back skipper!
17. Caught and bowled Beams: Jimmy removes the most painful batter Empy have played against this year, running to mid wicket to take the grab.
 
It was great to have Smitty back to lead us, along with Crackers and Beamsy, all 3 obviously making significant contributions to the side immediately upon their return!

17/20 is not what the Bombers set out to achieve, but the way the girls fought for every wicket and the spirit in which they played the game when lesser sides would’ve fallen will hold them in good stead for the last month and a bit of cricket we have left!

Watch out everybody, EMPY are coming!