We are the Champions, my friends!

The Village visited Abbots Langley looking for a win to secure promotion and the Division 6B title with 2 games to spare. On one of the hottest afternoons of the Summer, David Overton won another toss and to the dismay of most of his team mates, he decided to insert the opposition. Two early wickets from the skipper (2-24) in a tight opening spell, partially vindicated his decision but in the end, the full 50 overs were used up by the home side and an imposing total was amassed. The closing score of 231-8 was built around a classy 96 from the old stalwart batting at No.4. He coached and coaxed a few of the younger lads to bat around him and wickets in the middle overs were hard to come by. 94-4 after 20 overs became 200-5 in the 45th and an even more challenging total looked possible. The other opening bowler, Saahil Mehra had but been put out to pasture after a wayward opening spell and erratic fielding performance and it seemed the heat was all too much for the over-worked nag. However, a decent 2nd spell from Saahil (2-35) at the death restricted the total that Abbots were finally able to achieve. Naz Asif, continued to impress in his 1st change bowler role, picking up 3-49. The only other wicket fell to a swift stumping by Steve Pullen, after Richard Downes had persuaded the No.5 bat down the track and beaten his outside edge with a touch of turn that surprised everyone.

Chasing a score in excess of 230 is always a challenge, so this was a title win that would be hard earned. The first delivery of the Village innings saw the ball sail high and handsome over long-on, clearing an enormous boundary with ease. Naz was off and running in style once again. Unfortunately, a dubious decision saw the back of his opening partner, the newly promoted Jay Nandha, who was somehow caught at 1st slip without actually touching the ball. This brought Phil Smith to the wicket on the back of three consecutive league ducks and four in total. A scrambled first run saw him off the mark and from then on he looked fluent, even outscoring the free flowing Naz Asif, in the early stages. Partnerships were needed and were delivered but every time the Village looked in control, a wicket fell and this kept Abbots interested and the game in the balance. The scores at the 10,20 and 30 over check points were 48-1, 101-3 and 158-5. Run rate was never really an issue but wickets in hand might well turn out to be. No one managed to score a 50 in the Village line up but useful contributions came from several sources, notably Naz Asif (30), Phil Smith (45), Marcus Cara (36) and Hassan Shaffique (25). A fifth wicket stand of 50, brought the total close to 200 and the job was almost done. Typically, for the Village there was another twist before the end, as two wickets were lost in quick succession. 210-7 brought back memories of recent tight chases. Dave Overton strode to the wicket confidently predicting he would be hitting the winning runs to secure the title. Majid Asif (42*) was still at the crease and looked solid and secure, The pair brought home the title in fine style without any further alarms. The captain true to his word, hit the boundary that brought home another title for the Village to celebrate. Which of course they also did in some style!

The Village have now gone 15 games undefeated since the opening match of the season. Division 5B beckons next year. Roll on the 2016 season. It will be interesting to see how the Champions elect perform in the final two games, with little left to play for except pride and the protection of their unbeaten run.