In a week that resulted in rain delays and postponed matches, The Blazes finally got out for their home match against Oxted on Friday evening with the match only being confirmed late in the afternoon. The matches between these two teams have been traditionally close with this match going down to the wire!

Oxted won the toss and elected to field on a damp and drizzly home field. The match started positively with Tina kicking off the match with a 10 runs off the first over. Tina continued her run streak with a further 10 runs off the next two overs until the first wicket fell when Trina hit one up for Oxted to catch. The bad run continued when captain Maz who struggled to hit the ball went out cheaply bowled round her legs for 2 runs. Bernie came in to help and got off with a quickfire 4 and some singles but in the 8th over confusion ensued when the ball was hit up in the hair and slight miscommunication resulted in Tina being run out for 25. The ship was steadied a bit but confusion again ensued in the 13th over when Liz defending a ball lost her footing and Emily unfortunately being run out. Liz and Rachel took the Blazes to the end of the innings and 92 runs on the board to defend.

It was a slow start for Oxted with Tina and Rachel opening keeping the run rate low. Maz got the team's first wicket in the 5th over and and the important wicket of R Kirk in the 7th who came out swinging with 7 runs off 6 balls. From there the run rate steadied with Tina taking 2 wickets in the 11th over including that of Oxted's top batter who went out on 24 off 31 balls. From hereon in the run rate steadied and with a few more quick wickets by Maz and Rachel in the next few overs it came down to 6 runs needed in the final over. With Oxted's whippersnippers at the crease the Blazes needed to be on their toes and when Rachel took a wicket with two balls to go it was all to play for. Unfortunately the youthful legs of Oxted got them the final run they needed off the final ball with a devastating loss to the Blazes.

Nonetheless the match was played in good spirits and the teams enjoyed a lovely tea afterwards before sitting down and awarding the players of the match and the Ooops award. Player of the match went to Tina for her outstanding batting (25runs) and Maz for her bowling figures of 3/18. The oops awards will remain a mystery to find out who wins come see our next match....