3rd XI vs Crown Wood

July 14 v Crown Wood – Away. Lost by 6 runs

Despite the previous week’s loss, a win against top-of-the-table, Crown Wood, would put us in a good league position.

In my absence, Arsene took over and put them in. The first wicket was a run-out, the next three went to Don, and the remaining six to Anners (for 26), which added up to Crown Wood being dismissed for just 102. However, this included 15 wides - none by the wicket takers – and this gift was to prove crucial.

After Arsene and Ryan had gone in the first nine overs, Sonning’s reply began to build a momentum with Ali (15) as watchful as ever, and Banjo (23) continuing his fine form. Both were picking off the singles, punctuated by the odd boundary. At 59 for 2 after 28 overs, we were in the box seat, but then committed the cardinal sin of losing two established batsmen in quick succession, so exposing our ring-rusty middle order. Only Don, with a spirited and orthodox 16, held them up, and we were eventually dismissed for 95.

This result left us in mid-table, having played six games. We had tasted defeat and victory in equal measure, but we had no doubt that we could easily hold our ground in the division and, with a bit of luck, start to climb the league.