Having toppled Four Elms the previous week, Outwood’s 1st XI were in reflective mood as they warmed up for the visit of Speldhurst. Whilst the Wood was looking resplendent for this KCVL Division 1 clash, the current champions were facing a side that appeared to have identified the formula for beating them with irritating regularity.

Four successive defeats had got stats guru and performance analyst Ashley thinking - “Score more runs”, “take it deep” and “lose fewer wickets” he opined. Splendid advice indeed…

Overnight rain and a consequently damp wicket meant Louis’ winning of the toss and decision to bowl was received well by Outwood’s bowling unit. William Blease, recently returned from a three day bender in Seville, reckoned it was “Adios muchachos” for Speldhurst’s top order. And so it proved.

Whilst the wicket turned out to more benign than predicted, it did enough that defence was paramount and run scoring at a premium. Indeed, it took sharp catches from Malley and Norman at gulley and slip respectively to pry out Speldhurst’ openers and a rare straight one from Blease for the third. Change bowlers Norman and Wylie scarcely reduced the pressure and from 8-3 after 10 overs Speldhurst had inched to 30-5 at the half way mark.

By this point Ben Brandt and Jo Price were putting together a 38 run partnership for the sixth wicket and Malley and Talbot were bowling for the 'Wood. Brandt in particular was looking threatening and it took a remarkable one handed catch from the unit that is Chris Preen to remove him. So long was the ball in the air and so nonchalant was Preen that Malley had returned to his mark to begin his run up by the time the ball nestled in Preen’s sizeable hands.

Further runs were added by Harry Dunmall (41) to take Speldhurst past 100 before, inevitably, Norman returned to wrap up the tail. 117 all out in 38.4 overs. Not enough, surely?

A fine tea, prepared by Anna Malley and laboriously plated by husband James, was enjoyed by all as Outwood prepared to reply.

Opening up were stats guru Ashley and the ‘clean hitting’ Max Stenberg. Unfortunately, after one ‘very clean hit’, Max was out LBW. William Blease, fresh from his three day bender in Seville and on a high after his eighth and ninth wickets of the season, then joined stats guru Ashley in what would prove to be a century partnership. Frustratingly for stats guru Ashley, his would be the only other wicket to fall and just shy of 50 too!

The games’ denouement was provided by the unit that is Chris Preen who casually struck his second ball towards Bletchingley and strolled from the field. 119-2 from 22 overs. Good work by all.