Below par performance halts 1st team progress

It was a slow and lethargic start to the Village fielding efforts, not helped by starting with 10 men, as opening bowler Mehra failed to emerge from the stables in time for the game. Having inserted Flamstead, a side languishing at the foot of the table before the game, this was not what stand-in Skipper Phil Smith,(continuing to deputise for the injured David Overton) was looking for. That said, Andrew Potter soon settled into a decent rhythm and once he got control over the prodigious amount of swing, he was almost unplayable at times. In fact, it was probably doing a little too much to threaten the batsman consistently. There was a lack of control at the other end which allowed the opposition to build a solid opening partnership of 65.

The Village eventually managed to build some pressure and when they reduced the opposition to 115-4 hopes were high of restricting Flamstead to a simple enough total to chase. However the 5th wicket yielded 93 runs, as the bowlers were unable to maintain the necessary lines and lengths. From 208-5 it was a reasonable effort from Naz Asif (1-33), Saahil Mehra (2-46) and Marcus Cara (2-29) bowling at the death, to restrict the opposition to 249 and dismiss them entirely from the last ball of the innings.

The total was well within the Village’s reach but unfortunately, they batted about as well as they bowled. OK at times but not quite up to the required standards. The openers got off to the usual solid start with a 56 opening partnership, Naz Asif (31) first to go. The pivotal moment of the match occurred in the 28th over when the score was 141-3 and the Village were just moving into the ascendancy. A mix-up in the calling and running saw Daniel Potter failing to make his ground. An excellent pick up and direct hit saw him dismissed for 43 and the lynch pin of the innings was removed. Phil Smith (27) should take a large share of the blame for the run out mix up and for failing to go on himself, when well set. The young loopy off-spinner managed to deceive several of the middle order with his flight and his 3-43 in the middle overs, caused the Village chase to lose all momentum. The pursuit of the target petered away rapidly and the Village innings was all over in the 42nd over with just 175 runs accrued.

Much credit goes to Flamstead who belied their position in the table and outperformed the home side in all areas. This standard of performance will not secure another desired promotion for the Village but in a competitive Division, it may be difficult to dominate in the way they have over the past few years. Next Saturday sees a return to the traditional Win / Lose / Draw format that probably favours the Village line up and their approach to the game. Time will tell!