Defeat in last league game to battling Holtwhites

The 1st team don't seem to play very well at the very start and end of the season. For a second year in succession, the final game ended in a defeat, bringing a long unbeaten run to an end. In truth the Holtwhites boys, who needed to win to guarantee their survival in the division, just wanted it more and this seemed pulled them through in the end. Not that the game was out of the Village reach by any means. Masood's match winning innings of 97 not out, came courtesy of two dropped catches that were both very takeable chances.

Holtwhites Trinibis won the toss and inserted the Village on a damp and green looking track. The pitch was a touch slow and spongy to start but it was firm and true underneath and it improved throughout the day, as it dried out. Without anyone making 50, the Village cobbled together a very defendable 205 in 48.4 overs. This despite a couple of dubious LBW decisions and the absence of the selected Marcus Cara, due to prolonged afternoon work commitments, which meant that the batting line up was one key player short. Phil Smith top scored with 45, Danny Potter nursing a foot injury managed 29 and Dave Overton looked good while accumulating 31, but was fired out by the home umpire to end the first innings.

Dave Overton bowled well at the start of the Holtwhites reply and completed his 10 overs without a break, taking 2-18. Andy Potter also bowled well in his first spell, with his dangerous away swingers. Unfortunately, the rest of the bowlers lacked the control needed on a fast scoring ground and an ever improving track. The Holtwhites innings ebbed and flowed as both sides took charge at times. 46-3 became 125-3 and the home side were in cruise control. A couple of overs and a couple of calamitous runs outs later, plus a duck and Holtwhites had their backs to the wall at 127-6 after 32 overs.

A sixth wicket stand of 61 in less than 10 overs swung the match firmly back into Holtwhites hands. The usually dependable change bowlers and slower options failed to pay off on this occasion. The batsman picked their shots well and generally found the gaps. There was a controversial close run out at a key time that might also have seen the end of the home sides match winner. The home umpire was understandably reluctant to see it the Village's way.

Holtwhites deserved the victory and were quite rightly delighted to stay up. Really, they should not have been anywhere near the bottom of the league, as recent results have proved. They were definitely one of the most competent sides the Village have come up against this year. Indeed, these are the sort of close contests that we can expect more of next season as we head for the dizzy heights of Division 5B.

Having failed to find a horse metaphor for the final write up of the season, it just remains to say : -
Saahil - Why the long face? - We've just been promoted as Champions!!!!!

Many congratulations to the 2nd XI, who also secured promotion with an excellent win on the last day of the season.
All hail the Village. See you in 2016.