With all club members thrilled that the AGM on Friday evening was even more complex than COP26, the Indoor team returned to the real business of actually playing cricket, taking on the undefeated Writtle. The pre-match chat was not all about annual subs, coaching next season & sponsorship opportunities, but how could we continue our unbeaten run.
Squad rotation saw the season debut of Drew & another chance for Jack to make contact betwen bat & ball. Nick assumed the captaincy in John's absence, relieved to get the gloves back on after his omission from the team last week.
Captain Nick won the toss & chose to bowl, regretting it after a few overs in which we bowled more wides, no balls & full tosses than in living memory. Cheesey was expensive, Pooky a bit tighter, Drew was playing a different game to everyone else & Jack threw down a double bouncer to try to confuse the batsmen. Joe did tighten things up a bit & the momentum started to shift. Pooky forced a rash shot which Cheesey caught. Jack tried to catch a ball off the ceiling & looked a bit confused, only to take one later on that was also deflected. Then Pooky took over the whole game. Everyone bowled better (perhaps because Drew didn't bowl?), with less runs conceeded & excellent fielding. Basically, Pooky ended up with 4 wickets & 4 catches (yes, he is top of both individual tables, I'm sure he could send you a screen shot if you wish).
Writtle finished on 104, which was a lot less than was expected after a few overs, due to an excellent come back from Gt.Totham.
Nick & Drew opened up. It didn't take long for Drew to run Nick out, with a suicidal call to the best Writtle fielder. Pooky came in & hogged the strike, scoring well, whilst Drew watched. Pooky retired & Joe came in. Drew's day got better with a top edged dolly catch to square leg. Jack's innings was shorter than it took to write this sentence. But, he did make contact with the ball this week, but that bloody fielder ruined it by catching the ball. Joe & Cheesey then turned the tide, with superb shot selection, excellent running & clear calling. The score was rising slowly but surely, until Cheesey was caught out, bringing Pooky back to the crease. Sadly, he didn't last long, caught out, leaving Joe with 41 needed from 5 overs. In indoor cricket 8 per over is not too difficult, but when you are last man standing it isn't too easy either. Joe then demonstrated great technique, patience & spot-on tactics. He defended when he needed to & struck 3 sixes in one over when the ball was in the slot.
He guided the Gt.Totham team home with 3 balls to spare, putting us top of Division 1, clear by 12 points, played 4 won 4.
No game next week, so next game is Woodham Mortimer in a fortnight.
