Win v Outlaws Thurs 3 November 2100

Team: Kevin, John Co, John Ca, Graeme, Simon, Tim S

We had another good win last night against the Outlaws, even with an under 35 in their team. We lost the toss and were inserted. Tim S and I opened and quickly the red mist descended. Tim charged their off-spinner (one of his HCC first team mates) 2nd ball and departed stumped. I then ran out Graeme all within the first over. However, Kevin and I then started to right the ship, with both us reaching 25. The two Johns then pushed on gradually until an outstanding catch off a smashed drive, low and to the right of silly mid off, removed Mr Cowan. John Ca and I then took the score up to over 100 when John reached 25 too. We had a bit of collapse over the last three overs and were finally all out in with one ball to go at 136.

Outlaws had a reasonable start as again our bowling failed to inspire. Tim bowled a tight first over before succumbing to a couple of wides, then I followed with a much less accurate over. With things not looking good, the one constant aspect of our performance this season, namely our fielding, saved us again. I removed their first opener with a direct hit under-arm throw, which was quickly followed by another from John Ca. Another run out kept the pressure on them and started to push down their scoring rate, particularly after their 2nd opener retired on 25. John Co got our first bowling wicket late on, but they were still in the hunt with two wickets remaining. They only required 40 off the last three overs, but then Graeme performed a smart stumping to get rid of their slowest scoring batsman to bring back their opener (not what the doctor ordered). Kevin was now feeling the pressure and duly delivered with a couple of wides, but again our fielding came good with two smart run outs to finish the game off with an over to spare with Outlaws 20 odd short.