A typically cold June day in Shenfield saw the 1's at home to Belhus and the return of Jack Plom (more later).
Winning the toss, Graham decided to bat, with the onus on putting their bowlers under immediate pressure. This had the reverse effect as Timex fell to Plom at the end of the third over. A partnership of 42. followed between Uzi and Eeks before Eeks fell for 10, again to No Tunes. Uzi was now finding his range and scored his first 50 of the season in the 16th over (9x4's, 2x6's) before becoming the third wicket to fall with the score on 85, his contribution being 65 of them. Jackpot played another cameo performance before Seedy and Graham put on a partnership of 85. Both of their innings were of the patient variety, with both taking their time to get going, but they steadily got the innings back on track. Seedy eventually went for 40 and was followed in the next over by Horse, who got a leading edge to give No Tunes his third wicket. Graham got to his first 50 of the season shortly after (4x4's, 2x6's), and with the assistance of Arnie, put on an unbeaten stand of 44 for the sixth wicket in the last seven overs.. Graham was still there on 65, with Arnie getting to 23. A score of 222 looked to be a competitive total, with some batters looking like they had finally found some form.
Two wickets for Digger were the highlight of their innings for us as an unbeaten partnership of 145 for the third wicket saw the visitors comfortably cruise home with 10 overs to spare. Even the return of Chadders couldn't stop the flow of runs for Belhus who punished the loose ball (and there were many) and didn't really look in any trouble facing any of the six bowlers used.
We are now at the halfway stage of the season and the signs are looking ominous. Hopefully over the next two or three weeks there will be players returning from injury and holidays to stop the slump. Next week, we are at home to the side one place above us, Ilford, in another must-win game. Time to start turning things around.
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