Practising before the game against Sennocke

The omens weren't good. Bad forecast, covers and sawdust not allowed and nowhere to shelter. A 25-over game was agreed and despite frequent light rain we managed to squeeze a game in.

With only 8 of his team present at the scheduled start time, the skipper elected to bat first. It would be nice to blame the damp wicket and a devastating bowling attack for our faltering batting but sadly these were not the reason for another indifferent batting display. Six players reached double figures without being able to go on and deliver the killer punch. Lucas was unlucky to be out to a screamer of a catch 2 ins. off the ground at short extra. Duncan looked dangerous with three fours in quick succession but in the end James top-scored with just 14.

101 to win in 25 overs is not a huge target but with a damp wicket taking seam there must be a chance if you can take early wickets and build pressure. Lucas grabbed the first with only 14 on the board in the 6th over. He and Matt bowled well up front and at 43 for 1 after 14 overs, Sennocke still had a lot to do. Unfortunately key catches were put down and with wickets in hand the home side had total control of the run chase and completed their victory with 11 balls to spare.

There is usually a silver lining and on this occasion it was provided by Jonathan Wylie from our Academy U13s who made his KCVL league debut for the 2nds. Jonny had impressed everyone in the friendly against Graveney and he did so again with three very tidy overs against two well-set batsmen from Sennocke's 1st XI. Jonny is the last winner of the Alex Milton Award and we hope it won't be too long before he follows another previous winner - Dru Tunstall - into the Outwood 1st XI.