Captain Chadwick's rest and rotation policy (crucial to ensuring a fully fit & abled squad - take note Premier League) this week saw the skipper drop himself and Josh for the returning superstars Pook & Whiting, match report duties also being delegated out.
South Weald the opposition this week, who we had beaten relatively comfortably earlier in the season. Phipsy ensured we were batting first (although I have no idea if we won the toss) and the stand-in skipper opened up with Drew.
Drew retired very quickly, courtesy of 3 sixes (2 from a U13 bowler) to bring yours truly to the crease. Nick (8) was out LBW uncharacteristically trying to play through the leg-side instead of his usual cut shot. Me & The Easter Island head pushed the score along at over 10s and we were in a strong position with 4 overs left. I then advised Joe, we should look to take a bit more risk. Queue 3 wickets lost for 6 runs. First Joe run-out, too busy admiring his lofted drive. Before both myself & Jack were caught to give the young lad two well deserved wickets. Jack did at least have a positive strike rate this game (3 from 2 - small wins). Drew came back in and promptly put the lad back over his head again for 6. He & the Big Cheese then saw us through to score 124 from our 12 overs. Drew's 45* crucial.
As we have done a few times this year, we started off the boil with the ball, and didn't really build any pressure. At 40 without loss things were looking touch and go, before two good caught & bowleds removed the South Weald openers. That put us back on track & two smart run outs and bowled by Cheesey all but guaranteed the win.
The last wicket proved difficult, mainly because most of the team forgot how to catch. First Phipsy, then me, then Phipsy again (admittedly much harder than the first), and then a skied ball which nobody went for in fear of being the next dropee. South Weald finished their innings with their last wicket in tact on 104, for a GTCC win by 20 runs.
Annoyingly, taking that last wicket would have seen us retain 1st spot. However we are now tied for points Writtle and marginally behind on Net Run Rate, dropping to second in the league. Captain Chadwick will no doubt be having words on his return...
