Pirton put to the sword by Overton's 8 wicket haul

On a green, damp but drying Village track, Dave Overton had no hesitation inviting the visitors, Pirton, to bat first. The home skipper, always a handful on a wet wicket, troubled the Pirton batsmen from the outset. Wickets fell with alarming regularity, as far as the visitors were concerned. Some decent catches helped, although these were mixed with a few spills too, as the Village bowlers created chances almost every over. Dave Overton bowling with too much control and skill for a Division 10 batting line up, also took whatever fortune was on offer, to end with outstanding figures of 8 for 34 in 12.2 overs.

The innings lasted only 24.2 overs, by which time Pirton had amassed an inadequate 79 runs. The only meaningful contribution was 26 from the No. 5, who chanced his arm most balls and connected with a few lusty blows, managing to deposit Dave O deep into the cow field on one occasion. He alone was dropped 3 times, so the total could have been even lower. James Cook picked up the other 2 wickets to fall.

Turning straight round before tea, Felix Charles got the chase off to a flyer, playing solid but attacking cricket shots. An out of form James Cook was more circumspect but was dismissed cheaply, playing round a straight one, with the score on 36. Phil Smith lasted just one ball, scooping a rank long hop towards backwards square leg into the hands of the Hertfordshire ladies player in the Pirton ranks. The combination of a golden duck and being caught by a girl gave the sociable members all the ammunition needed in the bar all night.

The Hertfordshire county ladies player was brought onto bowl and found an excellent line and length immediately. Felix having rattled past 50 got a bit too impatient watching Marcus Cara prodding back the bowling and presented an easy catch to mid on, off the slow medium paced lady bowler. So it was left to Marcus and Andy Potter to bring it home and despite looking scared to get out to a girl, they got the job done. A pulled six to get off the mark by Andy, followed by a lofted drive for two, saw the Village overhaul the required total in just 16 overs.

All done before 4pm, and time enough for a net after the game for the DNBs and the keen ones.

It was great to see a 90 point day, as all 3 Village sides won. Needless to say it was a particularly lively night down at the club on Saturday!