Cold and overcast at the CGC but the ground looking a picture as ever. The wicket appeared another good deck so losing the toss for the fourth time in a row and being invited to bat was of no concern.

We lost P. Cherry for 6 in the sixth over, caught behind (16-1), but V. Connolly looked in a good nick, finding the boundary in the first over and soon going at a run a ball. M. Claridge joined Vinnie and the two quickly put on 50 for the second wicket, continuing at a good rate, notwithstanding some unenthusiastic running between the wickets from the junior partner. Despite looking set for a big score, Vinnie nicked off behind for 38 (68-2), bringing in-form Z. Ansari to the crease. Unfortunately Mark then pulled his hamstring; a runner was sent out and Mark began to go after the bowling, but hit out for 28, caught at mid off (88-3); Zorro soon followed, deceived by a floaty delivery (96-4), and another middle order wicket quickly fell, leaving us 95-5 and in familiar territory so far this season. F. Witcher joined seasoned pro D. Stratford at the crease, and the pair looked to steady the ship; Fred was off the mark first ball and soon looking comfortable, and Duncan was off the mark to a free hit, lofting the ball over mid-on for a trademark classy four. The pair looked in little danger on a good batting wicket, and added a steady 53 offering no chances, just what the innings required. A change of bowling brought an unexpectedly hostile spell of pace, and while at times erratic, a good ball saw Duncan bowled for 22 (149-6). With 8 overs to go and 200 really being the target, valuable late runs were still needed. Unfortunately the skipper failed to put away a long-hop, caught for 2, and the innings was over 7 balls later as Fred nicked behind (for an excellent 22), Ed Mole followed suit and J. Spooner was castled first ball. A tame end to the innings as we were all out for 157, a below par score, and with dangerman S. Ansari stranded without facing a ball.

Nonetheless, our score gave us a chance and we went out to battle after tea with our perennially strong bowling attack. The team held its breath as Jim reprised opening the bowling up the hill, but Take 2 had no drama and he immediately justified our faith by striking with his fifth ball to dismiss the opposition captain, caught sharply by Mark at slip. Vinnie opened down the hill and had the opposition prodding nervously and looking uneasy. Jim continued up and his teasing swing rattled through the top order, as he racked up three quick wickets to leave Westcott 42-4. Vinnie then picked up a deserved wicket (46-5), to put us in a strong position. However, the opposition still had plenty of overs and with a wicket again doing nothing, a classy looking No. 7 joined the less orthodox, but stubborn surviving opener. Fred and Mark (the latter hampered by injury) replaced the two openers and bowled well, but patient batting saw Westcott add 48 for the 6th wicket, until Fred gained reward for a good spell by finally bowling the opening bat for 38 (94-6). The No. 7 continued to play well, and added another 27 before holing out to Zorro at long-off, who took a good catch off Mark's bowling. However, the opposition No. 8 then frustrated us, solidly defending the good ball and putting away the odd bad one. Brothers Zorro and Shaz bowled good death spells (including a wicket for the former), but with the pitch doing little, calm, experienced batting saw Westcott knock off the remaining runs in the gloom with 8 balls and 2 wickets to spare.

Full scorecard: https://www.cherwellcricketleague.com/scorecard.php?MatchID=15735

To lose successive close games in the penultimate over was a real sickener, particularly having held such a strong position. Our bowling was again solid, but ultimately our batting was 40 runs light, and to not bat out the 45 overs on a batsman friendly Chearsley wicket was a cardinal sin. Elements to work on, but with us the team competing well, nothing to be too disheartened by.

[TM]