Sunshine again! Week 16, still no weather call offs and the 1s back on the road to Great Baddow. On arrival it was hard to see the pitch from the square, and Rob, losing the toss for a change, was asked to bat first.
After 4 overs we found ourselves 8-2, Joe had found Gully and Liam cover to both be dismissed for 0, Pook joining Nobby. They began to rebuild, and taking a particular liking to the change bowler with Pook finding the boundary regularly, before playing an airy shot to the opener at the other end and having his stumps rearranged.
Cooper in at 5, he and Nobby built a substantial partnership, Nob choosing to run the last majority of his runs (much to Harry's delight!) Harry played with excellent control, something we rarely see, and when he did unleash, did so to great effect. The pair went through drinks, and the 100 partnership (Cooper 74, Nobby 19, extras 7) before Harry fell for 83 (11x4 and 2x6) with the score sat promisingly on 157-4. However from here a true Totham collapse occurred, 38-6 which saw Mutton caught and bowled (1) Tim sky one (3) Nobby caught for a well played, patient 57. The remaining collapse being Drew bowled (0) JFH triggered (5) and finally RK (0) to finish 195 all out, bowled out with 4 overs remaining. Disappointing from where we were with 8 players scoring 5 or lower, however 195 being competitive.
Tea Rating: Another BYOT, tesco meal deal unspectacular and not filling 5/10
Taking the field with Henge and Pook on usual new ball duties, incident ball one of Pooks first over, a ball hit hard back at him, dropped by Pook and causing damage, Pook did in fairness bowl on for a couple more overs and field on (hiding), it was also found later on Pook had at least dislocated something in his wrist, essentially a season ending early and we wish him well. Anyway, back to the cricket, Totham found an opener with more lives than any cat, any edge not finding fielders or his own stumps, and interesting calling somehow not leading to a run out of him or any partner, Cheese being hardest hit by this luck when he replaced Pook. JFH on at the other end, the other batsman having no luck, managing to hit one at the one handed pook which was held and a breakthrough, but then wasn't consistent enough on a helpful pitch. Cheese finally got some reward, taking a wicket bowled and together with Cooper coming on, grabbing his own wicket, dragged Totham back into the game at 85-3.
However from here, Baddow stuck to the rate, their luck holding, our poor fielding aiding this, another breakthrough coming when RK was introduced and a catch finding Liam at cover. With Baddow having batting to come, wickets were required to win it. JFH and Henge returned for a last hurrah, Joe getting a strange wicket, reverse swept to Drew at gully who clung on at the second attempt. With wickets in hand and the total in sight Baddow kept their momentum, Joe did grab another wicket, caught by Cheese who also combined with JFH to execute a run out, but Baddow eventually got home with 8 balls to spare.
A frustrating day, luck against us, but if we had batted our final overs and fielded better we would have won.
Player of Match: Coopers 83 and bowled really well, definitely didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
