Top, top, top, top of the league

It was 1st vs 2nd heading into this weeks game, with the visitors, North Mymms boasting an unblemished win record in the 4 games played to date.

Dave Overton lost another toss and the Village were inserted by an opposition confident in their batting line up's ability to chase. A slightly damp deck for the first time this season and some decent bowling from the Mymms openers soon vindicated their decision to bowl first. The Village slumped to 63 for 6 in the 21st over, with only Felix Charles (21) and Nir Shah (happily available for 2 weeks over half term) offering any meaningful resistance.

Nir was joined at the crease by keeper Rory Mcleod and the two youngsters batted inventively and with considerable skill to move the score onto 116, before Rory perished LBW to the opposition's premier spinner. The partnership of 53 between the pair was comfortably the highest of a low scoring match and in hindsight was probably the pivotal period of the game. It enabled the Village to build a meaningful total and offered the bowlers something to work with.

Nir continued to bat elegantly with the lower order and ended up 55 not out in a total of 156 all out in 44.2 overs. Some rash shots and running towards the end, brought the innings to a more premature end than was necessary. Nevertheless, 156 was probably worth a few more in the conditions and it could certainly have been worse given the start.

At tea, there was an optimistic air despite the below par total and a team talk from the skipper got everyone focused from the outset. The North Mymms overseas opener came out all guns blazing and took 15 runs from the opening over. He continued to play shots despite a more defensive field setting and moved rapidly into the 30s. The target began to look smaller and a few more overs of his batting would see the game slip swiftly away. However, he seemed incapable of reigning in his attacking intent and soon knicked a wide ball through to the keeper. A blatant non walk was disappointing but the opposition umpire did the right thing and saw him off. It should be noted that the North Mymms umpiring was exceptionally fair throughout and once again, the quality of opposition sportsmanship and post match social put the Middx Championship to shame.

Once the overseas star had gone, the North Mymms batting resistance began to crumble almost immedietely. In the face of some real quality bowling, none of the other batsmen looked able to score. Saahil Mehra bowled with excellent pace, control and rhythm. Dave Overton pounded up the hill and bowled wicket to wicket, straight and full. There was no chance of either of them giving up the ball as wickets fell with regularity. No other Mymms batsmen reached double figures and the final blow was struck in just the 28th over, as the visitors were dismissed for just 78.

Saahil finished with the excellent figures of 6 for 23 in 14 overs. Dave took the other 4 for 53 runs also in 14 overs. This was a real marker for the rest of the division, proving that the Village can win with or without big runs on the board. We must now guard against complacency in the matches coming up. In the meantime let's enjoy life at the top of the league and see how long we can keep the undefeated record intact.