The final game of the season v Chelmsford Tigers took place last Sunday, with victory ensuring promotion to the Premier Division, following (the) last season's promotion from Division 2 to Division 1.
Team selection was again in disarray, as Jack got cold feet when he realised that the batting order would be reversed for the last game of the season & he'd be opening with Cheesey. Nick snuck back into the team, but not into his postion in the batting order.
John lost the toss & Tigers decided to bat. Nick decided to let Joshua keep wicket, as he was struggling with injury following rugby. But, possibly, it was to avoid any more dropped catches? Not only was batting reversed, but also bowling. Joe opened up & bowled a couple of tidy overs, including an LBW appeal that was given. Drew started off with a good delivery, but then decided that he should mix it up & he certainly did! His 2 overs had a bit of everything in them, including a catch to Joe, followed by a caught & bowled (coming off the ceiling straight into Drew's hands). Drew's figues were ok if the wides & no balls were discounted. The Tigers team managed to accumulate a few runs, with a boundary off Cheesey that Joe watched all the way past him to the back wall. Joshua did an impression of Nick as he watched 2 edges pass him. John's overs included a lot of 3s, a 6, a skied top edge that everyone thought everyone else was going to catch & a wicket (st.Chadwick junior, Bowled Chadwick senior). Cheesey cleaned up the Tigers, with a couple of wickets & we were chasing 93 to win.
John & Cheesey opened the batting. Cheesey's tactics were the same as an opener as a tailender. The classic walk down the track & defend resulted in at least 3 successful scoring shots. The running was good & the runs accumulated. Cheesey tried it once too often & was stumped, John defied his own expectations & retired. Nick & Joshua scored at a fast pace & the game was over in the 8th over. As was observed at the end of the game, "we didn't need Pooky to win"
This game was a return to form & a great way to end the season. 2 league defeats & one cup defeat amongst 10 wins is not a bad ratio.
Well done to Johsua, Nick, Drew, Pooky, Jack, Joe & Cheesey for another successful indoor season. Currently in the league statistics, Joe is in 9th place in runs scored, Cheesey 1st place in wickets taken & Pooky 1st place in catches taken.
The Premier Division awaits............
