A solid performance yet again earns us 30 points

Having been informed at 9pm the previous Friday night to bring trainers, as we were playing on an astroturf pitch, we didn't know what to expect when we turned up. The pitch itself was a newly laid astroturf pitch so played quite well, however, the fact that the stumps were spring loaded and had bolts sticking out of both the off and leg stumps gave cause for concern.

Having won the toss (eventually) Lawrence decided to try to secure maximum batting points by asking Northwood to field. An opening partnership of 27 was broken when the skipper got frustrated and played an overly optimistic drive at a straight ball that clattered into the stumps.

Naz and Matin then took the score to 58, before Matin also missed a straight one, departing for 21. Naz took the attack to the opposition bowling along with a more cautious Pete, who despite clearing the man on the boundary for 4 (?!?!) was solid in defence. Naz then played one shot too many and was also bowled, bringing Ali to the crease. He departed soon after having not troubled the scorers, an ill-judged shot only picking out the long off fielder, when a driven single seemed the more appropriate shot.

Joe Sheridan (57), in his last appearance for this season, then came out with sensible, attacking shots. He and Pete kept the scoreboard ticking along nicely, putting on an effortless 50 together before non-existent calling resulted in the tugboat, I mean Pete, not being able to turn and make his ground in time.

Shahme (41*) then provided some late fireworks to take us to 233-7.

Having declared an over early, we had 44 overs to try and take the 10 wickets needed. Having both bowled well, neither Liam or Dan could get a breakthrough, however Shahme gave us an opening in his first over, which seemed to be the catalyst for the win. Regular wickets fell, including 2 run outs, one a great piece of fielding by Ali and another from extremely poor running by the opposition captain.

Shahme ended with 3-10 off 7 overs, but with 15 overs left we still needed one wicket. Not for the first time this season, we didn't bowl straight enough, leaving the number 9 and 11 a number of balls they didn't need to play at. Just as Pete was getting loose with 5 overs to go, Naz produced a great ball that somehow got movement off the astroturf and smashed into middle and off.

A little bit close for comfort with just 5 overs to go, but a good 30 points in the bag