Big hits in tight draw

Mike Pearmain in defensive mode

A noose?

All captains but two are "vice"

Robin Linnecar threatens the fielder

Pete Slaney edges to be caught behind

We won the toss and elected to field which was the only hope for us given their strong batting line up. The weather was fair, the pitch slow and low and astonishingly we soon reduced them to 27-4 . The writer had a particularly successful opening spell, all the more enjoyable as I fully intended that Robin L. should take the new ball with Matt H. but he was late arriving. Unfortunately their best batsmen were nos.5,6, and 7 and gradually they turned things around despite good spells from Edgar F. and Toby C. in the middle of the innings. Our fielding was generally good with Toby scooping up a diving catch at mid-off and Robin L. holding a bullet at mid-on. Rob Symondson held two catches and
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Mike Pearmain had an excellent game behind the stumps in the absence of Howard. They ended on 197-8 with our bowling figures Matt H. 11-1-46-2, Edgar F. 14-2-38-2, Toby C. 8-1-40-0, Robin L. 5-0-44-0, Peter Slaney 2-0-11-1, and myself 8-4-16-3. In all fairness Edgar, Toby, and Robin in particular were all bowling when their top scorer (88) was in full flow

In reply Rob Symondson started very brightly with several well struck fours, but disaster struck at 23 when Edgar F. holed out at deep mid wicket for only 6. This was a severe blow, given our brittle batting line up, and in all honesty we were never likely winners from that point. Nonetheless Rob S. went on to make an impressive 49 before their umpire upheld a dubious lbw shout, Mike Pearmain made a controlled 25 (inc. two more large sixes), and most welcome of all Robin Linnecar made an impressive 38 falling just before the end when we needed over 8an over. We finished on 166-8 with Matt H. and the writer in occupation, to earn a respectable draw against a very handy side.