Ton up Cara puts Northwood to the sword.

Saturday's away match against Northwood meant a trek out to Great Missenden in Bucks for the opposition's not so local, 3rd team ground. The trip proved well worthwhile for a number of reasons, including a beautiful setting, a good cricket wicket, another pleasant host side and an entertaining game.

Without a doubt the highlight of the match was Marcus Cara's maiden century for the club. It was an innings punctuated throughout with sweet timing, powerful hitting and excellent shot selection. Marcus is certainly at the top of his game right now, full of confidence and sure of his game. This was evident very early on in his innings, as he punched a six down the ground and onto the clubhouse roof from just his third ball faced. Typical of batsmen in top form Marcus is picking up the line and length of the ball very early and playing within himself, not having to force anything or play unfamiliar shots. His Saturday league average is a staggering 112.3, thanks to his 123 not out in this game and several other high scoring not out innings.

The bulk of his runs on Saturday came from shots down the ground or via his hard hit pull shots through mid-wicket off the front foot. It was from one of these pull shots that young Mr Cara offered his only chance. He hit the ball hard and flat but straight into mid wickets hands. Fortunately for the Village and Marcus in particular, the opposition skipper failed to hold on. Although Marcus was already well past 50 at the time, it was nevertheless a crucial drop in the circumstances and probably cost Northwood the game.

Earlier, wickets had proved hard to come by for the Village attack, shorn of regular bowlers Saahil Mehra and James Cook through absence and illness. In fact, only five wickets fell in total throughout the Northwood innings as the Village were kept toiling in the heat for the full 53 overs again. One of these wickets was a run out, so David Overton, Andy Potter, Majid Asif and Marcus Cara all had to settle for just the 1 wicket each. The bowlers all grafted hard but all went for around 4 an over on a hard and bouncy deck with a fast scoring outfield.

In the end, the 10 man Village 1st XI were chasing 222, which was easily the largest chase of the season to date. This was a creditable total from a side struggling in the league but was by no means insurmountable. Runs came quickly in the Village reply but so did the wickets and 3 had gone inside the first 10 overs. Felix Charles, Danny Potter and Phil Smith all got to double figures but not much further. All fell to the same opening bowler who found pace, bounce and movement, coming down the slope. With a couple of regulars missing, one person light and a bit of a tail, a lot rested on the middle order.

Credit goes to Will Gleeson, batting at No. 5 for sticking around for 15 or so overs. He never quite looked settled but he allowed Marcus to build both his innings and a platform for the chase. Things looked precarious again when Will was removed for 14 and Majid went cheaply shortly after. 5 wickets were down (call it 6 with the missing man) and there were still well over a hundred needed. It is in this context that the dropped catch about 30 runs into the next partnership was so crucial. It certainly would have made an interesting and tight finish.

Andy Potter, the self proclaimed "finisher" came to the crease to join Marcus. Although desperately out of form Andy looked assured from the outset. Soon enough the runs required began to shrink rapidly as Marcus and Andy took toll of anything loose and rotated the strike really well. Andy managed to live up to his own billing. His 38 not out was easily his highest and most important league knock of the season to date. The winning runs came with more than 4 overs to spare.

A 6th consecutive victory for the 1s and 9 wins out of 10 in the Herts league. Next week, a fourth consecutive away game, this time against Little B Sahibs, a team challenging for promotion. The Village should guard against complacency, of which there have been one or two signs in recent weeks.