Great all round performance gets us over the line

Mill Hill Village 2nds entertained top of the table Ickleford on Saturday June 4th. On winning the toss the league leaders decided to bat and despite early chances scored steadily to put on over 100 for the 1st wicket. With such a solid platform looked to accelerate but tight bowling from Downes (3 for 50) and Burton kept the visitors in check before a late flurry enabled them to declare on 238 for 5 off 43 overs

In reply, the Village soon lost Sunny Raval before Claw & Zafer steadied the ship to reach 44 for 1. However, Claw’s exit was quickly followed by Vice captain Gajjer & we were reeling at 59 for 3. Zaf continued to play positively and with support from Sanket Shah saw the team to 100 off 21 overs before a mix up left Zaf stranded & run out for 54. Sanket soon departed leaving us at 110 for 5 at the half way stage with 2 new batsman in.

Breezy knocks from Burton (30) & wicket keeper Pullen (18) enabled Dave Flavell to play himself in steadily. He was joined at the crease by Crocker with the score at 184 for 7 with 13 overs left – all 4 results were possible. With the field spread ones & twos were picked up and the odd boundary from Crocker got us to 210 for 7 with 8 overs to go. However, Crocker fell to a fine catch & with Captain Downes the new batsman twos were out of the question. Singles were picked up as we edged to the target. With 2 overs to go 9 were needed. Four singles of the 1st five balls saw ‘Legs’ reach 50 and the team within 1 hit of victory with 7 balls to go. Fortunately Downes’s decision to take the aerial route worked and the scores were tied going into the last over where it was fitting that man of the match Flavell (54*) hit the winning runs.

It was a fine all round team performance and showed what the team can achieve – we must now strive for some consistency.