Last weekend's rain decided to stick around for another week, and there were serious doubts from all about whether any cricket would be possible this weekend. The 1s were in the end the only GTCC side to get see any play in a fixture away to Little Baddow that was delayed by rain, before eventually being abandoned.
Rob lost the toss and we were asked to bat in a reduced game of 27 overs per side. With rain about, you might think we were upset by this, but Baddow's pitch was extremely soft and we suspected we might have the best batting conditions first up. A slight tweak in the order saw Lumpy promoted to open following his stellar knock (0) last week, and Harry drop to 4. Tom Hawkridge returned to the side at 3, and Muttly came in for DQ. The rest of the side was unchanged from Aythorpe.
Lumpy & Rob started brilliantly taking the openers for over 8 an over. They sent the new ball over the rope 16 times between them in an opening stand of 77, before a sweep from Lumpy took a top edge & he fell for 32. Rob continued with Tommy, the skipper passing his first fifty as 1st XI skipper.
Baddow now had two spinners operating and batting was proving decidedly more difficult. Rob (62), Harry (0) & Tommy (34) all fell in quick succession, and the collapse continued as the middle order looked to score quick runs from the final few overs. My 12 being the only double-digit score from the remaining bats.
In total we posted 165/8 and with 7 wickets falling to spin (+ 1 run out) we were confident that due to our spin bowling line-up and the deteriorating pitch, that we would be able to defend our total and secure the first win of the season.
Unfortunately, with tea came rain and it did not go away again. Match abandoned. Kit in the bag, time for the Bull.
We hope for better weather next weekend as we host Stock at Bull Meadow.
Star Man: Rob Hewer for his 62 runs (48 balls, 9 fours, 1 six)
