A well earned 30 points keeps us in the promotion hunt

A frustrating start to the day occurred when all of Shahme, Chris O'Brian, Naz Asif, Ali Sayed and Pete were all late for the start of the game (although to be fair Pete had made me aware that he was likely to be). Having lost the toss for what feels like 8 times in a row, we were asked to field first, the first time this has happened in a League game this season.

Obviously we were in no position to take the field with only 6 players, so the opposition skipper kindly agreed to start 15 minutes late. This is not the first time this season we have started the game with less than 11 players, however through batting first we have got away with it. This has got to stop. It is embarrassing for the players that turn up on time and is disrespectful towards them (right rant over - now the match report).

Opening up with Dan and Naz, they both bowled a good line and length and it was no surprise when Dan picked up a return catch early on. The Abbots no.3 was a youngster with a sound technique, however as soon as his favourite places to deflect the ball were plugged, he found it almost impossible to score. His partner was also unable to buy a run and after 14 overs the opposition were 29-1. Ajay was brought on to bowl as first change and immediately got some swing. The youngster was becoming more frustrated and decided to take the aerial route, however without much power, he just picked out Dan Penny at mid-off.

Ali came on and despite struggling for any rhythm or control, managed to pick up Abbots no.4 by bringing one back into him.

The Abbots opener was still there at drinks, but departed soon after having made 14 in 25 overs. At this point we were beginning to think the hard work had been done, with a bit of loose bowling and a couple of sloppy pieces of fielding allowing the 5th wicket pair to put together a partnership of 50. Shahme was then given the nod to come and bowl some darts, which broke the partnership and then some. He took 4 wickets in 11 balls to rip the heart out of the middle order, and left the opposition struggling to get to 150. However the Abbots skipper came in at 10, clearly a better player than those before him and despite some suicidal running we were unable to prevent a partnership of 20 which was edging them closer to maximum batting points. At 167-8 8 with one over to go, the odds were stacked firmly in their favour. 2 of the second ball of the over followed by another suicidal run culminated in a run out with the no. 11 on strike. A dot ball followed meaning that Abbots needed 1 run from the final delivery. Shahme bowled a good yorker and being forced to take the single, Rory did well to eep his head and underarm the ball back to the bowler to break the stumps.

169 was still a challenging total, however having had a good chase the week before, I was confident we would be good enough.

Wingy and Lawrence opened the batting and were assisted with some very loose bowling, which enabled them to score 40 off the first 10 overs with no risks taken whatsoever.

However a misjudgement by the skipper meant he was bowled around his legs and with Dave and Naz both giving their wickets away in quick succession, we had lost 3 wickets in 8 balls to leave us on 48-3.

Pete then came to the crease with Ali Sayed, the latter playing well within himself to get his eye in. Pete made a fairly rapid 22 before trying to deposit a slower ball through cow and getting a faint nick through to the keeper (which, to his credit he walked for).

Rory came to the crease with a further 100 needed and played his usual aggressive innings. He and Ali together played extremely well taking singles on offer as well as putting away the bad balls. In my eyes Ali played one of his most valuable knocks for the Village, working hard not to give his wicket away, before opening up towards the end. Together they put on 97, with Rory unluckily falling to a sharp catch in the gully for 49, before Chris O'Brian came in to knock off the 3 that were needed in the 35th over, with Ali finishing on 42 not out.

Overall a good performance all-round, however with top and third place to play in the next 2 weeks, we need to try and retain the momentum.