2nd XI put supporters through the ringer

Wow, what a game! The match had everything - brilliant bowling, world class catches, abject batting but then a fantastic fight back that put victory firmly into our hands, only to slip through our fingers at the last moment to end in a tie.

Once again Marcus Malley dealt some killer blows early on with a wicket in each of his first 3 overs and 4 in his first 5. Dru Tunstall removed Otford's dangerous Kent U13s batsman with a one-handed 'worldy' at mid wicket and Otford were struggling at 27 for 4. Lucas was having boot trouble so brother Max took over at the road end in his first match of the season, picking up a wicket with his first ball. Max's line and length were immaculate and he helped pile on the pressure, just missing out on a hat-trick. At 42 - 7, Outwood smelt victory for the first, but not last time. Grant Scandling, a gritty South African, launched a brave counter-attack with a hard-hitting 37 in 35 balls before he too fell victim to another 'worldy', this time a fierce catch-and-bowled by Jeremy Charlesworth. Otford were eventually dismissed for 102, well below par on a good wicket and fast outfield but a good recovery from 42 - 7.

Was it over-confidence or the sumptuous tea that made Outwood look as though they had forgotten how to bat? Admittedly Otford bowled well, but not well enough to explain the 41 - 6 scoreline. John Hall and Rob Rigby started a recovery before they both fell to poor shots so at 65 - 8 it was Otford's turn to anticipate victory. Cometh the hour, cometh the men, and youngsters Dru Tunstall and Max Evans set about restoring an element of respectability to Outwood's woeful innings. Looking comfortable against slow and opening bowlers alike, they patiently nudged the innings forward, run by run, showing the top order how it should have been done. Stiff drinks were being hastily sunk in the large crowd as the winning total inched ever closer and the tension became unbearable. Then 9 runs off an over brought us to within 2 of victory before a huge cheer went up as Dru hit a glorious on-drive to the boundary to surely clinch victory. But no, the ball stopped 2 inches short and the batsmen for some reason only took one of the two runs clearly on offer. Scores were level. Otford sensibly crowed the bat and Max succumbed to the pressure and was bowled. Never mind, we still had Jeremy. A potential winning shot hit a fielder on the foot without him knowing much about it and then, the death rattle, Jeremy was bowled.

How to sum up? A great game of cricket, but one which we surely should have won. Some fine performances, great catches, but a lingering hollowness about what might - should have been. Did we get out of jail or throw away 8 vital points? Both probably. Never mind, all is not lost as long as we learn from our mistakes and vow to put them right. Batting practice on Wednesday!