After improving steadily each game over the last four weeks, Aliens have stunned the cricket world by recording the team’s first win in two and a half seasons. It is amazing that the victory came so easily and one could have easily been mistaken in thinking the Aliens were a top of the table team rather than the perennial cellar dwellers that the Oslo cricket world knows them as.

After losing the toss for the sixth time out of seven, Aliens were asked to take the field and did so with some rather groggy looking players positioned around the batsmen. This is the first game this year we were able to open the bowling with the much improved Simon Herbert and our new find Abid Hussein and the boys were not holding back. Grorudalens openers soon showed their intensions by letting their bats fly and giving the impression they were playing beach cricket. The first wicket was not long in coming and S. Herbert was the man to take it. A well judged catch by Anthony Boxall running around from mid-on saw Majid on his way back to the net area.

It was soon apparent that Aliens would have to dismiss Faisal, the other opener as he was scoring many boundaries with lusty blows and Abid soon enticed him into a slog to the mid-wicket boundary where a perfectly poised Chris Maile took a great catch on the run much to the delight of the team. Catching has not been a strong point of our game this year but we are getting there. That was 2-47 and then it was 4-48 thanks to Mr Herbert taking two more in his final two overs.

There followed a dangerous recovery and it was on 92 that the next wicket fell. It was Drew Eakin having the ?big mouth? Salman, caught behind for 10 with a ball of blistering pace. Salman looked uncomfortable his whole innings against our pace attack and our educated remarks at crucial times on batting technique and eating habits.

It was shortly after that the captain introduced himself into the attack and mopped up the tail with three quick wickets and a run out by Guy Harris finished Grorudalen off for 150 exactly.

Special mention to Nigel Hornby for the fantastic job behind the stumps. His three catches and one in the gob were a sight to see!

Again Aliens were in the game with a huge chance and Travis Weston and William Dennett strode to the middle with an attitude not seen too many times before in our short history. Confidence has been building in the team over the previous four weeks and the two openers took to the bowling and slayed it to all parts of the ground in a season best partnership of 95.

William was eventually out for a good knock of 33 from 44 balls and displayed some lovely strokeplay including some great pull shots and square cuts. Travis was meanwhile playing the innings of his life and pounded their attack with some shots only he could pull off. A couple of straight drives come to mind. Travis has shown enormous improvement this year and is now opening the batting regularly. He must be the most improved cricketer in Oslo this year.

He was joined at the crease by Aliens new captain, Geoff Brooker and the two saw off the remaining 55 runs in easy fashion. Geoff finishing on 36no and Travis on 71no. The game was won with more than six overs to spare. A fantastic way to notch up our first win ever.

May there be many more to come.