We Are The Champions!

The win, when it came, all seemed rather easy.

Set 98 to win by the Reigate Priory Llamas, the Outlaws coasted to victory by 8 wickets with 41 balls remaining.

After three overs of the Llamas innings, with the score on 26 things could have been so different.

However, three wickets in seven balls without a run scored allowed the Outlaws to change the flow of the game and take a grip on the title that they were not to lose.

After expensive opening overs both Louis Russell Watts (3 for 28) and Matt Talbot (1 for 20) took key wickets which together with a run out from Ashley Middleton reigned the Llamas in.

There was no let up for the Llamas as the Outlaws bowling attack maintained constant pressure. Every change in bowler caused problems for batters who were unable to score freely. Outlaws fielding remained sharp throughout and applied further pressure to the Llamas to raise their scoring tempo. This constant pressure resulted in wickets. The innings closed with the final three wickets falling with the score on 98.

Not enough surely?

Not with The Outlaws answer to Finch and Roy opening the batting. Ashley Middleton and Michael Stephen made the Llamas batting woes look inexplicable as they piled on 56 for the first wicket in six overs. After Ashley fell for 23, Michael continued to pile on the runs and retired not out on 52 from 37 balls.

It was left to Man of the Match Louis to close out the game with an imperious clip off his legs for 6 to the long leg boundary.

A final word to the traveling fans who lined half the boundary and the whole of the pavilion. We easily out voiced the Llamas fan giving the Outlaws a massive boost in their quest for the title.

So, South East Region Champions. Seven straight wins. Not bad for what is probably the smallest club in the region, and great testament to the skill and team ethos of the lads.

Finals day now beckons on 27 August. Save the date.