2nds stay in the chase

This was a must win game against second-in-the-table Bidborough if we were to maintain the pressure on our promotion rivals. The skipper called for calm heads and a strong focus on the task ahead. The team responded with a near-perfect performance - easily our best of the season.

In warm conditions (to say the least!) skipper Hall won the toss and risked the wrath of his team by bowling first. The team responded brilliantly as the opening attach of Marcus Malley (2 for 24) and Matt Talbot (0 for 12 from 5) piled on the pressure with a fast and accurate opening spell. Neither gave anything away and went past the bat regularly before Marcus eventually induced an edge to first slip. The change bowlers kept up the pressure until Matt Talbot combined with Felix Teasdale to run out the dangerous Latham (25) with a superb piece of work. Outwood's fielding was of the highest order (although not perfect!) and a great help to the bowlers in building the pressure that was beginning to take effect. Nat Hiscocks (3 for 30) was extracting prodigious turn from the dry pitch. Keith Hall (2 for 35) was giving nothing away with his tidy outswing and another direct-hit runout by Chris Preen meant that Bidborough were bowled out for 153 in the 37th over. This was well below par on a small ground with good wicket and lightening-fast outfield and represented a superb overall performance in the field to set up the win if the batters could cash in.

Mike Cleaver (67 no) and Nat Hiscocks (15) provided the solid start that was required before Keith Hall joined Mike to take the score to 106 - 1; job almost done. When Keith departed for 21, the youthful Chris Preen strode purposefully to the wicket before destroying the tidy Bidborough bowling with some brutal power hitting. He appeared to have to get away quickly for a hot date or a waiting plane as he hit 38 in 19 balls including four 4s in four balls off the unfortunate Wilson. The last 50 runs came off just 5 overs with Mike Cleaver ducking and weaving at the non-strikers end to avoid passing tank shells.

A very important win achieved with an excellent performance. If we continue to play like this then promotion will be assured. The challenge will be to maintain the standard set in this game for our remaining key matches as well as against lesser opposition. We play Bidborough again in the last match of the season and they will be forewarned, although we need to keep the momentum going right up until then.