The 1st XI had to bounce back after a crushing defeat the previous week and with Bentley 2nd XI visiting Bull Meadow this was an opportunity that could not be missed.
Captain Cooper lost the toss and Bentley decided to bat but it only took till the second over to strike when Joe Smoker produced an absolute cracker to square the opener up and take the edge which was bettered by the catch at second slip by Sam Bowen. Smoker bowled well throughout finishing with figures of 3-40. All of Totham’s bowling attack were excellent, Ollie Cheeseman 3-23, Barry Mays 2-23, Sam Bowen 1-23 and a run out from Cooper dismantled Bentley who could only scrape together 116
Setting off chasing low totals like this has become a speciality of GTCC and usually don’t have to look any further than the opening partnership of Cooper and Hawkridge to make light work of such a chase. Sadly the opening pair fell early which brought Paul Marks and James Pook to the crease with the score a 32-2 and from there on in the oak trees cruised to victory. The total was reached in the 18th over with fantastic stroke play from Pook (42*) who looked a cert for a ton and Marks (30*) (slightly less glamorous) unbeaten.
Totham are back on track and are looking forward to the trip to Great Waltham next week.
Star man
James Pook
