On what will be one of the nicest days and best pitches we will have this year, Totham faced travelling to Halstead with nine players. Fortunately due to players realising revision doesn’t matter and having a friend who plays football, the Sunday nine became XI.
After losing the toss, the team were sent out to bowl, this didn’t go down well with the team. However, it turned out to be a piece of tactical brilliance by Captain Chadwick to purposely lose the toss. Jack Bowen got the team off to a fantastic start with a wicket in his first over. George Baron opened up at the other end, bowling some great deliveries and then some garbage, but did manage to get another early wicket for Totham.
After offering to play in the morning, debutant Harry Banyard was brought on, unfortunately after a few deliveries he was taken out the attack due to the new ‘no ball’ rule. As certain previous captains of the club have been known to let relations of theirs hog the game, Chadwick took inspiration from this and brought on his father to finish off Banyard’s over. Chadwick Senior’s extreme pace shocked many, he even managed to get a wicket! Ollie Cheeseman was at the other end, bowling very tightly, getting a well-deserved three wickets. Sam Bowen came on for a brief spell, with James Hay coming on at the other end, both bowling very well. The highlight of the fielding innings however was a dropped catch by Archibald, he expressed his disappointment with a profanity which could be heard from Totham, resulting in a team warning. Everyone was now on their best behaviour.
With 192 to be chased down Chadwick Jnr and Cooper opened the batting, getting off to a good start, until Chadwick pathetically attempted to go over the top of the fielders but managed to hit it straight to mid-off. Cooper went on to get 37 in a couple of balls. In came Sam Bowen, looking good for his 14. Cheeseman seemed to experience vertigo going in at 4, while Chadwick Snr missed a straight one but claims it to be a good ball. The rest of the batting line up fell quite quickly. Archibald made up for his fielding mishap with an interesting 7 runs. Baron and Bowen, at 10 and 11 helped the team get to a respectable 113 all out.
Not an ideal start, but a lovely day to play cricket and a decent performance from all. Next week the Sunday XI are home to Springfield.
Many thanks to today’s match day sponsors Travis Perkins Witham.
Man of the Match – Ryan Archibald (for entertainment and great effort in the field).
