Following last weeks reality check at the hands of South Woodham Ferrers, Totham freshened up their side with the return of POTY Chadwick, Phipps, Foxy and Issey for the visit of Great Baddow 2’s.
Nob won the toss, or as Olly pointed out, the visitors lost the toss, and chose to field on a wicket looking infinitely drier than last week. Mutley opening the bowling with George and looked like the bowler of the 2017 season for 2.3 overs, inducing an edge in the first over only to be dropped by the skipper at slip. Fortunately it wasn’t to be costly as Mutley cleaned him up in his next over without scoring and George notched shortly after too, caught by John at mid on. A period of consolidation for the batting side saw no wickets lost but crucially, the run rate dropped. In trying to up the anti, Jonny Hewer had the opener well caught at long off by Cailean with the score on 94. Kendall bowled excellently and claimed 3-23, Jonny bowled well for 2-33 and young Issey Croft was impressive again, finishing with 1 wicket which should have been 3 if we had held chances. The fielding was much better this week, aside from the 4 dropped catches which all should have been taken, two by captain Nob, who’s personal contribution to the game was nothing short of pathetic. 202 was a reasonable score, but we fancied our chances, especially with our batting line up.
Solid Tea from the Chadwick’s, the chocolate cake was very good. 7.5/10
Our reply started when the opening bowler finally made it to the crease, after starting his run up in George’s front room. He was reasonably sharp and the bowler the other end was incredibly slow, Nob and Stu finding it very tough to get away. Nob perished first, caught behind for a scratchy 7 with Stu following shortly after. Cailean, who going in to this game was in absolutely no form at all, steadied the ship well and with Nick and then Foxy, built and edged us nearer the winning total. Cailean was joined by Mutley and together they battered the opposition attack with constant boundaries, both playing themselves back in to form with a partnership of 92 in just 11 overs to see us home with more than 11 overs to spare. Cailean finished with an excellent 68 not out and Mutley 45 not out.
A huge improvement on last weeks display, especially in the field where apart from the captain and George Davis leaning on a tree throughout the innings, we were much improved. The bowling was impressive on the whole and we were able to get the job done with the bat. The future is bright!
Star Man - Cailean for his excellent catch and excellent innings but somehow he still manages to swerve coming to the pub for a beer despite now owing 15 jugs.
