Honours
even on and off the field
We lost the toss with the hosts electing to bat, on the usual first
class batting track with lighting outfield. Matt H. and Alex C. shared
the new ball and both bowled with genuine pace and hostility against
some quality batting. Matt H. made the breakthrough, courtesy of a good
catch by Robin L. at extra cover but then his shin problem forced him
out of the attack after only 4 overs. 
After Alex removed the opener's
off stump, yours truly yorked the new batsmen for 4, and we had them
at 63-3. That proved to be our last success of the morning as their
nos.3 & 5, both members of Henley first XI, steered them to 149-3
at lunch with some high class batting. After a superb lunch, supported
by 8 away fans, we resumed for the graveyard shift, fully expecting
to be on the wrong end of about 250plus. Instead, the spin twins Edgar
and Jerry W. put in a superb display taking 5 wkts for 21 backed up
by some excellent fielding, catching and 2 stumpings by H. At 170-8
the hosts were reeling but somehow steadied their ship before declaring
at 202-8. It should be said that there were three rain breaks when the
covers came on, first time I've seen that in any Concorde match. The
great bowling by the spinners made it impossible for me to take them
off, which meant Toby, Robin and Ash were not needed which won't happen
very often. Bowling figs. were Matt H. 4-1-16-1, Alex C. 10-1-45-1,
Edgar F. 12-2-53-4, Jerry W. 12-2-37-1, Toby C, 2-0-8-0, Robin L. 1-0-4-0,
and myself 7-0-30-1.
In reply we got off to a bad start when Edgar unluckily played on to a ball he could have left. Ash was playing his first game of the season and applied himself very well with Jerry W. continuing his good form and we reached tea at 27-1. With 50 mins,plus 20 overs to go, we tried to up the tempo after tea but Ash skied one to depart for 21 and we were 50-2. Jerry was then joined by Monte Lynch who after nearly spooning a catch first ball, scored an entertaining 43 in quick time with 2 huge sixes and some lovely timing, Had he stayed for another 10 overs we would have walked it but when he fell to a good catch at point, Jerry was joined by Alex. This partnership was very productive with some sharp singles, selective hitting and intelligent cricket but with only 50 needed we lost both players in rapid succession and the rot started. Robin L. hit a brisk 15, but firstly called Mick R. for a very risky single which ended in disaster before Mick had faced a ball, then spooned at catch to cover, Matt H. played over a full length topspinner and Toby and I were pleased to survive the last 4 overs with over 8 an over needed. Another tale of what might have been but a great game which ebbed and flowed and could have gone either way. The post match social intercourse was also most enjoyable against a really great bunch. I could play there every week!