4th XI beat Hawk Green at home

As per the new norm, players trickled in to the meet as they saw fit; ‘let others complete the pre match jobs’ seemingly the new mantra. Considering the indifference of the teams form over the last six weeks or so Gary asked the team for a majority view on ‘bat or bowl’ on winning the toss. The consensus was to bat and so it was. The pitch looked a bit tired with a glass like outfield offering value for money for anything kept on the deck.

Zain and Phil opened and it looked as if Zain was on a mission to score the fastest hundred ever, clubbing the fast medium bowling of Neild to all parts to reach 37 off only 26 balls including 8 fours. Phil looked on somewhat bemused as the more accurate spin of Ridings slowed him out of the blocks. Eventually they did have to cross and that was the end of Zain. 4 ball faced and he top edges an easy catch to the wicket keeper. Was joined Phil and looked a little out of sorts with his batting. Phil started to get going but reinforced his ‘promising 20’ reputation by getting out for 20 courtesy of a sharp catch at slip by Hill. This bought Billy to the crease but his conference with Was did not last long when Was missed a full bunger off Chetwyn to be Lbw for 7. Karl & Mo T did not trouble the scorers too much, both bowled by Ridings to bring Gary to the crease at 88 for 5. Thankfully (for his personal sanity) he remembered which end of the bat should be held and helped Billy in a 108 run 7th wicket partnership. Billy played really nicely for a run a ball 66 including 12 fours whilst Gary hit 45 (nine fours). Billy fell to a disappointing cross bat swat that missed the ball and Gary played on (again) to make it 207 for 7. The tail wagged a little to close the innings on 229 for 9 which in recent terms was good going but a very gettable score.

With the outfield so fast it was important that we bowled straight to minimise extras and limit the Hawks scoring opportunities. Unfortunately we could not do this and as a bowling unit we did not do well nor did the team look up for it in the field. Gary had a mare with the gloves and the team seemed lethargic in the field. At 95 for 1 in less than 20 overs the Hawks looked well set but some variable bounce undid the dangerous Hill to be bowled by Krishna for 45. Ridings was then controversially given run out and some consequential chirping delayed the game for 5 minutes or so whilst respective teddies & toys from both teams were picked up from the outfield. From this point we made steady progress through the Hawks batting with Raj taking an outrageous wicket, turning the ball a couple of feet to bowl Neild for 1 and also to dismiss the well set Chetwyn for 35. Hallas came in and batted with a good eye for 37 (including 7 fours) before Pushka took a good catch at deep cover to remove him. With youngsters now batting the writing was on the wall, Zain claiming a sharp run out to close the innings at 173.

The match was won on the back of a decent enough shift with the bat but the effort in the field was poor and we got away with it. A brief autopsy after the game on our efforts held by Gary was accepted in good grace by the team.