Outlaws Gunned Down by Spitfires

In the end it was not to be as the Outwood Outlaws were beaten in the Surrey Slam for the first time.

Losing the toss, the Outlaws were set 124 by the Spitfires. Although all the Spitfire top order got starts, only Bardon managed to push on and score at better than a run a ball. The Outlaws kept runs in check, taking wickets just as partnerships were building. Louis Russell-Watts and Matt Talbot both took a brace, and and Ben Cleaver, Lucas Evans and Dru Tunstall one-a-piece at less than six an over. The Outlaws took every wicket taking chance offered by opposition batsmen who found free scoring a challenge.

After the break the Outlaws batsmen all failed to make significant contributions - only Louis getting to 53 from 41 balls and having to retire, at a critical juncture of the game with five overs remaining and 36 runs needed.

After Louis departed the run rate climbed as the boundary became increasingly hard to find - and in the end the Outlaws came up 15 runs short

The lads were naturally disappointed not to have pushed on to the final and have a tilt at the title, but they can be proud of what they have achieved, and the entertainment they have provided during the summer to their loyal fans - 60 of whom made the journey to the big city to watch them once again.