1st XI vs Ilford CC, 1st XI

A rain reduced match saw us nearly grab victory against an Ilford side that we should have beaten.

Winning the toss, Graham changed tack and decided to field, with the knowledge that rain was forecast. The first stoppage came after 18 overs with the batsmen well set and the score on 96-0. A hold up of 25 minutes ensued before play resumed. 17 minutes and six overs later, they had reached 134 without loss when a second shower forced the players off for the second and final time. Two overs into the restart saw us finally break through, with Horse taking the first of his four wickets. He and Arnie bowled the final 15 overs of their innings as their innings slowed once both openers were out. Arnie took two wickets as they reached 213-6 from 37 overs. We were given 34 overs to reach the target and there was a feeling of apprehension that this was a gettable target.

Losing three wickets in the first 10 overs didn't dispel the belief that we could reach our target, especially as Uzi was playing in a similar fashion to last week. When he fell in the over before drinks, we still needed 123 runs in just under 18 overs. Seedy and Uncle Joe fell cheaply. Arnie came in and with his captain, created a 65 run partnership in nearly 10 overs. Graham got to his second consecutive 50 from 40 balls (7x4's, 1x6) before becoming the seventh wicket to fall with the score on 186 (76 from 60 balls). This left us needing 28 from 22 balls, and then 8 from the final over, A single from the first ball left Arnie stranded as first Horse was bowled, then Big Al tried to run a second two and was well short. This left Digger with having to keep out the last two balls to get us the draw, which he successfully managed. Arnie was left at the wrong end on 46.

We travel to Gidea Park next week in a better mood than in previous weeks knowing that a win is almost there. The bad news is that we are now starting to run out of games and a turnaround is needed quickly.