Matt H roars back
Once again we found ourselves with 8 men on the eve of the game but Paul Reeve and Ian Walker, a friend of Alex, stepped in at the eleventh hour to boost us to 10, then Claygate turned up with 12 and promptly loaned us a player to make it 11 a side.
We won the toss, and I asked the visitors to bat. We then witnessed a superb hour of cricket with Alex and Matt H. producing a fantastic exhibition of opening bowling. Alex bowled with great pace and some hostility, getting back almost to his best form from 2001 and 2002, whilst Matt produced his best ever spell for the club, swinging the ball at good pace, whilst maintaining line and length. His return of 4-10 off 12 overs was a great performance and is an early contender for the Moody Trophy, whilst Alex will feel unlucky to have only picked up one wicket having beaten the bat every over and having at least two catches dropped. This opening spell was generally supported with some good fielding, notably a brilliant diving one handed catch at slip by Rob Symondson. As a result I found it impossible to take either of the opening bowlers off until 22 overs had passed by which time we had Claygate reeling at 42-5. The game was interrupted by three downpours, which forced an early tea. Alex and Matt finally gave way to Jerry W and Toby and they took four further wickets before the writer took the final wicket with Claygate finally all out for 82. Robin L. and Paul R. didn't get to bowl at all. Bowling figure were: Alex 11-5-23-1, Matt H. 12-7-10-4, Jerry W. 5-0-12-3, Toby 4-0-20-1, and myself 1-0-4-1.
Despite the modest target, the downpour during the tea interval had left the pitch and outfield sodden, and the late afternoon sun produced an unpredictable batting track as it dried out. In the absence of Edgar F., Robin L. opened with Rob Symondson and they batted sensibly and carefully which was just what the doctor ordered with our fragile batting line up. Rob S. unluckily dragged one on having made a steady 27, including 4 spanking boundaries, but Jerry W. joined Robin L. and they steered us to a convincing nine wicket victory. Robin L. finished with 30 n.o. and ended the game with a six over deep square leg.
It is amazing that we have maintained our unbeaten record, given that we have gone into most games with only three front line batsmen and they have all applied themselves superbly on each occasion, doing exactly what was required.