Boxmoor get completely Pottered

Boxmoor CC visited Burtonhole Lane, full of optimism and keen to keep up their promotion push. Having suffered a rain off in the corresponding fixture, this was a return to 50 over a side cricket against an unknown quantity. Unknown except for the return of an old friend to the Village, in the shape of Richard 'Eggy' Crowther, now playing for his 'home town' club.

The Egg was quickly into the action at No.3, as the visitors lost both openers cheaply. A third wicket stand of 73, evened up the contest and at 113-3 in the 32nd over, Boxmoor were arguably ahead of the game. The Village openers bowled their full allocation unchanged at the start of the innings but only had 1 wicket a piece to show for their decent, tight spells. It was left to the change bowlers to take the wickets necessary, to prevent the visiting side from building an imposing total. Majid Asif and Richard Downes were tried next, with the slow left arm orthodox spinner picking up the dangerous Ballard at No.4, who was the batsman who seemed most capable of scoring quickly.

Naz Asif (3-37) and Andrew Potter (2-21) were the second set of change bowlers to be used but proved the most successful. Potter ended the stubborn resistance of Richard Crowther, who top scored with 42. Despite a mini collapse to 136-7 and then 153-8, the Boxmoor tail wagged and they batted out their full 50 overs, amassing a reasonably challenging total of 191. The Village ground fielding wasn't top notch but for once the catching was flawless and not a single chance went to ground. We also witnessed yet another bye free innings from wicket keeper, Steve Pullen, who with 20+ catches as well, is having the season of his life.

Over tea, we enjoyed the usual match day 'check in' from Abu Dhabi, from the Village's No.1 fan and self-styled legend of the club, Hinal Gajjar. Big H always keeps an eye on match day proceedings and on these reports, even from 7000km away, so he deserves an honourable mention. He is spending many happy hours these days, re-living his greatest moments on a cricket field for the Village. Sorry I mean many happy seconds. We certainly miss his catching this year!

After a bright start, Naz Asif went for 18 and Phil Smith then continued his sorrowful run of ducks, falling LBW to the very next ball. Things didn't improve much after that and the home side stumbled to 92-6 after half the overs. The one bright spot was opening batsman Dan Potter who was looking secure at one end, despite the wickets tumbling at the other. He just needed a reliable partner to support him. Despite no form, or notable recent innings to speak of, brother Andy Potter came in at No.8 and settled into the role swiftly. Bad balls were getting punished at both ends now and the elder, spammier Potter was driving elegantly and pulling ferociously, as he picked up the pace of the innings at exactly the right time.

The younger chinnier Potter continued to look assured and the Boxmoor attack suddenly looked a couple of bowlers light. The fielding side had been loud, confident and a little confrontational while the wickets were falling. Now though, they were being silenced by the magic being weaved by the Potters and all the noise came from the watching team. An unbroken stand of exactly 100 was a fantastic effort, recovering from a real pressure situation to bring about what seemed like a comfortable victory in the end. The last 50 runs came up in just 8 overs and the game finished in the 43rd over.

Winning is a good habit that the Village have got into and we have turned around a couple of losing positions to win games recently. However, we are winning ugly, without playing well and better oppositions will punish this in the divisions that the 1st XI aspire to compete in.

Victory next week at Abbotts Langley will assure not just promotion but another Divisional title win as well.