Would you Adam and Eve it a tie!

These results don't come around often and thank the lord that they don't because it isn't good for one's nerves! Batting first the 1's started brightly with the new opening partnership of Crompton and son setting a great platform with a fifty plus stand. Grompton was joined at the crease by Dawson. Between them they set us up for a great score, Grompton finally fell caught at long off for a fine 94. By this time Dawson had started to open up, timing the ball sweetly to all corners. Jawson stroked a quick 12 before driving to cover and Dawson finally fell in the penultimate over for a classy 68. Ambrose and Keats took us to a good total of 228 and four bonus points.

Great Waltham started steadily with the bat, however neither Jawson or myself could find a breakthrough. Dawson continued his fine match when he finally bowled D Bloom for 36 knocking back his leg stump. Elgar followed him in similar fashion as Waltham finally tried to up the run rate. Dawson struck for a third time following some great work behind the timbers from Barnsey, stumping the dangerous Patel for a well made 84. With wickets in hand Waltham were still favourites although the run rate was still rising. Inspired captaincy from Jawson followed as he reintroduced myself and himself to the bowling attack in the closing overs. First G Bloom slapped one from me to Jawson in the gully, then M Elgar, skied a chance to Jawson in the gully again and although this one was taken less cleanly, Jawson hung on. The game was still in the balance. Jamie then had Waltham skipper Swan caught behind for 8. Two overs to go, 22 needed, my first ball disappeared over the fence for 6, then 4.  Oh no I thought I have to leave Jamie something to defend in the last over. A couple of singles followed and a two, then more drama, O Fitzwalter bowled attempting one big hit too many. So the last over. Jamie to bowl, 7 runs needed. Much scrambling off the first 4 balls and they need 1 off 2. Back of a length from Jamie play and miss. 1 off 1 to win. Back of a length again from Jamie, missed again, taken cleanly by Barnsey who runs two yards forward and throws down the stumps. All eyes  were on the umpire, then the finger went up, and there was jubilation all round and despair for the hosts, game tied and 18 valuable points in the bag.

The 2s got their promotion chase back on track against a strong Danbury side. Batting first Graeme Webster with 60 and Callum 87 set up a good total of 238. Danbury should have chased the total down but some selfish batting from Richards who was more interested in getting a century than winning the game cost them dearly, and they came up 5 runs short.

For the 3s it was another tough day. Up against Rainham 2s who will win Division 9 without breaking a sweat. Rainham won the toss and batted first piling up 258-3 with Alex Sullivan carrying his bat for 123 not out. The chase never really got going Chips top scoring with a good 40 but 258 was always going to be too  much for them as they finally folded for 150.

Results 03/08/2013

Great Waltham CC 1st XI 228-8 (16pts) tied with RFCC 1st XI 228-4 (18pts)
RFCC 2nd XI 238-6 (23pts) beat Danbury CC 1st XI 233-6 (7pts) by 5 runs.
RFCC 3rd XI 150-10 (2pts) lost to Rainham CC (Essex) 2nd XI (26pts) by 108 runs.

Fixtures 10/08/2013

RFCC 1st XI v East Hanningfield & Great Burstead 1st XI
Navestock Ardleigh Green 1st XI v RFCC 2nd XI
RFCC 3rd XI v Broomfield 2nd XI

                                        

* The views expressed within this blog are expressly my own and are not in anyway attributable to Rayleigh Fairview Cricket Club or any person connected to it in any way.