1st XI denied victory due to the weather

Village took to the field eager to continue their good form in a crucial match against 3rd placed Hemel Hempstead, and take a big step towards a league title win and double-promotion. On a day that threatened rain with an overcast sky and solid cloud cover, skipper Danny Potter won the toss and duly put the opposition into bat.
Opening bowler Saahil Mehra bolted out of the gate with a disciplined line while partner Marcus Cara was slightly more generous to the batsmen, who made the most of what appeared a good track despite the conditions. Even more helpful were the multiple lives offered to the pair, with Village putting down numerous catches – with the captain leading from the front in that regard. Luckily for Danny, his 2nd drop resulted in a quick recovery and throw back to Shash Seam at the bowlers end for a run out and the first wicket of the match in the 10th over.
Despite all top 4 opposition batsmen making steady starts, the rain did start to influence proceedings; at points stopping play altogether. Maj Asif, having dropped a regulation catch off his own bowling earlier, did eventually take a wicket for himself before spinner Obaid Ur Rehman came on and chipped in with 2 wickets. Dave Overton, despite aiming for fine leg every 3rd ball, took 3 wickets including a spectacular one-handed caught and bowled to claim the opposition's most dangerous looking batsman.
With the score on 206 Saahil Mehra claimed the 8th – and eventually final – wicket of the Hemel innings in the 48th over, as the heavens finally opened and the sides agreed to take tea and shorten the game meaning Village would need to chase a total of 186 in 43 overs. Conditions had been difficult for the Hemel batsmen, but their eagerness to fight on through the weather had been heroic.
Suitably inspired, Danny and Andy Potter strode out with the sun finally shining on a glorious afternoon for a run-chase and made light work of the task. Leading from the front, Danny hit a string of glorious boundaries, including a stunner of a sweep for 6. Not to be outdone, Andy hit a maximum of his own by driving handsomely over the long-off boundary. The score was ticking along at a rapid clip and well ahead of the rate required by Duckworth-Lewis, which stated Village would need to be on 87 by the 20th over to win, should the weather hinder proceedings further.
With the score on 78 for 0 after 13 overs and Village cruising towards a win (with Danny just four runs short of his half-century) a light drizzle halted play for what the side thought would be no more than 15 minutes, given the commitment shown by both teams throughout the day to getting a result out. Sadly, this proved not to be the case. Despite giving the pitch ample time to dry out and become playable (especially given just 7 more overs were required to get a result), the aforementioned spirit of the day disappeared quicker than Kath's chicken nuggets and the home side called the game off, leaving both teams with 10 points and a bitter taste in the mouth.
Having come so tantalisingly close to claiming all 30 points, Village ended the day in 2nd spot, 17 points behind Old Camdenians. However, Village do have a game in hand and are still to play their title rivals in what is shaping up to be a huge fixture.

By Devraj Ray