Superb chase gets us another 30 points

After the recent deluge of rain, a weeks worth of sun as well as 45 minutes of rolling made the village track a good batting track for the first time this season. Yet again Lawrence lost the toss and was invited to field, however this was not too disappointing as with a small boundary it was hard to say what a par score was going to be.

Yet again we started the game with 10 players as Naz failed to turn up on time, meaning Chalky opened the bowling with Liam. By the time Naz had turned up, not too much damage had been done, however in his second over Chalks picked up a straightforward LBW with the opener padding away a straight delivery. Liam induced an edge behind soon after before a partnership that was just starting to grow was ended by a great piece of fielding from the skipper, diving to parry the ball before returning it to Skippy to complete the formalities.

The Rickmansworth no.5 didn't want to hang around skying one to Dan Butcher off Naz and at 60 odd for 4 we were in with a sniff however we regularly bowled too many 4 balls which the Rickmansworth batsmen were happy to put away. Skippy dropped a caught behind off Naz before the Rickmansworth no.4 completed his 50 in the over before drinks. Ali Ilyas was given the ball and his tactic of bowling long hops paid dividends when the no.4 drilled the ball straight at Liam, who did well to hold on to a tough chance.

With an end opened up, we looked to take advantage but despite looking shaky early on in his innings, the Rickmansworth number 6 played some stunning shots whilst shepherding his partner at the same time. Chalky, Ali Sayed and Chris O'Brien were all hit for massive sixes. Focusing on trying to pick up wickets from the other end, an astute piece of captaincy from Lawrence, having placed himself at a short mid-on position, the ball then went there the very next ball for a straightforward catch.

The Rickmansworth number 6 completed his century with another 6 but was out soon after with Liam picking up his wicket as well as two more to wrap up the innings. A special note to Ali Sayed who managed to hold on to his first catch in 2 years - Congratulations Ali!!

232 would have been a very daunting score if Rickmansworth had used up more than the 41.1 overs it took them. With 48 overs to get the runs, I was confident as long as we didn't lose early wickets.

We had been told that Rickmansworth had no bowling, however didn't want to take anything for granted. Matin and Lawrence had a look at the two openers who varied considerably. From one end the no.6 who had scored a century was tight with both line and length, but from the other was a complete mixed bag of beamers, pea-rollers and wides. Lawrence had a look at one beamer before depositing the second one into the next field losing the ball in the process.

Lawrence and Matin batted sensibly putting on 46 for the first wicket in 15 overs before Matin walked across a straightone and was plum LBW. Lawrence continued to bat in the same manner picking up the many singles available and rotating the strike. Dan Butcher came and went quickly holing out to point trying to force the pace. At 75-2 after 20 overs the platform was in place and 150 from 28 overs was comfortably manageable with Skippy, Naz and Ali all to contribute.

A lapse of concentration from Lawrence meant he was out LBW as well bringing Skippy to the crease. A six clipped off his legs from Skippy was great to watch and with Ali accelerating more and more the longer he was in, a partnership of 83 in 13 overs put us in prime position.

Skippy also suffered a lapse in concentration playing down the wrong line before Ali yorked himself for a very well made 76. At 180-5 from 38 overs, we needed 52 off 10 with Naz and Chris O'Brien at the crease.

An appeal for a caught behind seemed to indicate the end of Naz, but with Matin not hearing anything and Naz adamant he would have walked if he thought he had edged it, we got away with one. Naz opened up and took 14 off the 46th over leaving us with 6 needed off the final 2 overs. Condiment O'Brien then decided to play and miss at 3 before stealing a single off the last ball to retain the strike. We needed 3 from the last over and with 2 balls gone we still needed another 3 runs after Chris played and missed at 2 more. Finally Chris connected with one lofting it over mid on and earning us the 30 points.

Overall a great chase set up by Matin and Lawrence but paced and executed well by Ali and Naz. Our fielding was generally good with only tough chances put down but our bowling was a little on the loose side. We currently sit 45 points of fourth and 63 points clear of fifth so are in prime position to secure promotion if we keep up the intensity