Colts 142 for 3, Long Marston approx 80 all out

We had a good start to the season with an easy win. Having lost the toss, we were sent into bat and fresh from their success in winning the league for Harpenden 2s, Graeme and Dave set up the foundation of good if not excellent first innings total. The start was a little slow with Graeme becoming somewhat annoyed at the quality of the fielding at backward point which prevented several runs and almost brought and early run out. However, post this minor alarm the pair moved on with little fuss. They each cruised to 25 before retiring, Graeme the first having hogged most of the strike.

With availability this year dropping, we have had to fill our ranks with some new blood and the latest recruit Tony Hooper, joined Dave. He soon started to remember the differences between out and indoor cricket with the Long Marston first change bowling very slow leg breaks the first of which bounced to chest height. Tony soon adjusted though and connected cleanly with several deliveries only to be extremely well fielded. Unfortunately his innings did not last two long as he was well run out after Dave drove hard to extra cover. In came Don, quickly followed by Tim, as Dave retired. Another solid partnership developed, before Don retired having looked very comfortable. As last man in, I joined Tim for a very swift partnership, pushing a 3 of my first ball, then left a legside wide moved out of my crease and as the ball returned off the back wall, was pathetically run out. Graeme returned, Tim completed another 25 for Dave to return for the last over, and was caught off the last ball. Our final total of 142 for 3 seemed a reasonable start.

Dave opened our bowling and almost immediately they tried to push a single to Tony resulting in an easy run out, 0 for 1, not a good start. Tim took the 2nd over and was even more impressive and at the end of the 2nd over they were 7 for 1. Tony took the 4th over and bowled some accurate medium pace with a hit of extra bounce. I took the 5th over and hit the stumps for once, at real rarity, in fact I can remember the last time I bowled someone. They lost three more wickets I think all via run outs, Tony again being responsible for one, via a fine accurate throw from the back wall right over the stumps at the strikers end. From fairly early on it had been clear that they were going to get nowhere near our total and with one man, I felt safe enough to threw the ball to Graeme for the penultimate over. What a fine choice this was, as he finished off the match without the need for the final over.

They were all out for around 80 leaving us winners and maximum bonus points.