The 1s took themselves back on the road again, this time to the lovely ground of Galleywood, with seemingly the obligatory two changes, Cooper and Jacob Slater in, Baron and FGA both missing.
Jonny lost the toss but we were batting, something he probably would have done anyway, with Nob and Henge heading to the middle. Both started well, punishing anything loose before a cluster of wickets fell. Nobby got a leading edge to mid off, Henge nicked behind and Liam in at 3 played a very uncharacteristic shot to be caught at Mid on. Tommy Hawkridge and Cooper steadied things briefly, but both were bowled before drinks leaving us wobbling on 88-5.
After drinks it was a quiet affair, Slater and Pook rebuilding without risk, both taking their time before starting to push more singles, and Pook occasionally going aerial. Slater was eventually bowled trying to manufacture one into the leg side. Jonny took on a single that wasn't on and was run out, leaving Tim to join Pook. Pooks resistance was broken, finishing on 43 as he was bowled by the returning opening bowler. RK and Tim tried to drag us to the third batting point of 175, but fell one short, RK run out from the last ball trying to get there.
Tea rating: good sandwiches, cocktail sausages, pizzas cakes and pizzas, another decent spread. 7.5/10
Totham took the field knowing a good bowling stint was required to get the win home. We started well enough, RK creating a chance that was missed at second slip, nearly falling the way of first slip too. Pook took the new ball at the other end and got our first break through, bowling all ends up. The second wicket pairing batted sensibly and looked to punish anything loose, RK finishing his spell and being replaced by Henge, who went nicely without overly threatening. It was Pook who grabbed the second, after having a couple of very good LBW shouts turned down finally got the third. From here Totham were confident of making inroads, Jonny replaced Pook, and after a couple of wayward overs before drinks, found his radar beautifully afterwards, removing the Galleywood opener with one that spun through the gate and took middle and off. Mini-Wheels came on to replace Henge as we went double spin and got early rewards, Henge taking a good catch in the deep. From here the board stalled, Tommy and Jonny bowling with control and keeping the runs down, Jonny 3 maidens in a row as the asking rate climbed above sixes. Jonny got his second reward at the end of his spell, a nick to Tim keeping very well behind the stumps, and finished 2-25 from 9. When Tommy then had the Galleywood number 7 LBW, we looked like we were getting the job done. However, the new Galleywood man had other ideas, a blistering 45 from just 27 deliveries swung the game back, and the returning RK, Henge and an attempt from Cooper couldn't stop him seeing the game home with 8 balls to spare.
A hard defeat, a game where getting to 200 would I think got us over the line, but the last few bowling overs presented Galleywood chances to win. A couple of missed chances of catches and extra runs added too need to be tightened up before next week. A mention to Pook this week, his 43 and 2-18 from 9 nearly did the job, just needed a couple more to match his effort.
