4th XI vs Leigh On Sea CC, Saturday 3rd XI

With a very poor week for availability and having lost last time out with a strong side to the Leigh-on-Sea 4th XI, it was always going to be a difficult task.

With just 8 available to turn up for the start time the Leigh captain kindly put us in to field …. With the classic 3 3 formation we started out. Both Frankie Zuko and Ironman bowled exceptionally well under the circumstances. Ironman in particular had at least 3 balls fly off the outside edge into the vacant half off the pitch behind the keeper. Speaking of JJ Part II, on his debut for the 4s played exceptionally well with very few byes conceded. Neither of the opening bowlers got the wickets they duly deserved, it took the introduction of the line and length enigma Max Proctor to take the first wicket. This would be the first of 4 in a standout bowling display from Max, who with the last ball of the game also dismissed their best batsman who had scored 100 off 60.

Taking out of the game this mammoth score, the fixture was much closely contested than it looked on paper. At drink Leigh on Sea had laboured to 65 runs, with just 6 in the outfield. Sadly this solo performance took the game away from us and the 237 posted was always looking like an unlikely chase.

Sadly the chase started by losing our first wicket. The Westcliff opening bowler was incredibly talented for this level and probably the best bowler some of these lads had faced. 0-1 with the loss of Stark Senior. The 1st of 4 father and son duos in the team today. Frankie Zuko put on some much needed resistance with a fantastic 27 (33), he was putting away some fantastic bowling with ease until the bowler at least 7 years his senior finally got the wicket. Sadly Max Proctor, after his stellar bowling was only able to add 1 to the score before Jude Hearn departed without adding to the score. Jacob Judd followed just 6 balls later, although unable to add to the score he kept fantastically on debut. Callum Stark in the meantime added a very good 34 to the score, Ironman attacked the Westcliff Bowling lineup and with El Capitano at the other end put on a 40 run partnership. Simon Hearn was next in after the loss of Ironman on 34(46), he added a nice 14 to the score, 14 more than his son he noted. Sadly neither Mark nor Rob were able to add to the score leaving us on 124-9 with Josh McLean on strike. When served up a juicy full toss it seemed certain an additional batting point was secured until he played it straight back into the bowlers grasp. A funny end to a game that saw 5 wickets fall to full tosses.

Although never the result wanted, a fantastic performance from the young lads against an older and more experienced side. The streak may not have started yet but I am very proud of the Boys.