So having lost a further two matches to the weather we at last got back out on to the wicket. What had been good had been the ability to get out on a grass wicket and also to do some fielding work. There is little doubt it paid off. What was also nice was the fact that we played a declaration game over 50 overs so winning the toss did mean something. Tom Owen won that toss which put us in the driving seat and thankfully we did take advantage of it. Tom failed for the first time this season which meant that others had to come to the fore and indeed they did. Kai Landolt in his first outing scored a healthy 18 and seeing off their opening pair. Peter keenly side played ‘in th V’ and had a good innings of 25. So after 27 overs we declared and set the opposition a target of 107 to win. Slightly on the low side one might assume but despite the fine weather the outfield was still slow. The opening bowling attack of Plummer and Reddy kept them tied up and after 6 overs they were 1 for 7 following a great catch by Kai Landolt off Rahul’s bowling. Their batsmen found it difficult to score and the change bowlers of Tom Owen and Peter Keenleyside kept them under pressure. Two run outs put them under more pressure but no one could have thought up the finale! With only one over left Langley Park probably felt that they had fought out a draw but what a finish! The first two balls were poor and went for boundaries but they were too far behind the run rate to win. The next two balls flashed past the edge to much frustration. Then boom! The fifth ball and the stumps tumbled. Now it was nine down, one wicket to win and one ball left. In came Frank Pummer again and again the stump went over. A joyous finish for the players and an excellent game of cricket played in magnificent weather.
Team: Tom Owen, Frank Plummer, Rahul Reddy, Peter Keenleyside, Sam Rieb-Smith, Kadim Khan, Zac O’Brien-Manley, Dan Taylor, Arthur Ambler, Kai Landolt, Alastair Greeves.