The 1s took to the road this week, a long journey into the deepest, darkest Dengie for the game at Tillingham. On arrival we found the sun still shone even there, and once the previous night's music stage had been cleared, Nobby won the toss and ensured we were batting first, Cooper and Tim back into the mix, with GD making his first appearance of the year, and Tommy Wheeler on first team debut, Cheesy, RK, Liam and Nick missing.
Rob and Henge opened up, although Henge was very much an observer early on, Joe only facing 1 of the first 24 deliveries bowled, however both started putting away anything loose making use of gaps in the field, and on the quick outfield a big score looked necessary. There were scares, Rob dropped twice by the keeper, one genuine nick and a top edge pull that was dropped to the edge of the boundary for 3. An early introduction of spin begun to slow us, and the first 2 wickets fell, Rob (27) bowled off the inside edge with the score on 64, Henge followed the following over, playing over the top of one from the spinner. This brought Tommy and FGA together. Spin now dominated both ends, FGA not taking risks and battled through while Tommy looked to score of anything slightly loose to keep the board going. Eventually Tommy forced one too many and was caught at mid off. Cooper joining FGA briefly before FGA was bowled, and Pooks stay was short and sweet, somehow caught at slip of the back of the bat, and Harry caught too. At this point the board had stalled, 127-6 with Josh and Tim left to do some work. Josh was then denied this opportunity, adjudged caught behind despite barely an appeal, while Tim and then GD were both caught in the slips, although in rather different circumstances. 144-9 from left JFH and debutant Tommy Wheeler 8 overs to bat and amass what they could by any means possible, made slightly easier by Tillingham deciding that tea prep was more important and dropping a fielder, a wise move? Outside the odd edge and one chance given by JFH, there were some classy moments, a Jonny (23*) cover drive and Tommy (9*) drive through mid-on highlights, the pair adding 37 without being dismissed to get a competitive total of 181 on the board.
Tea rating: Two very nice curries, although not the most needed thing on a hot day! Nice cake but not loads else. 7/10
Totham took the field knowing opportunity was there, but lots of good bowling would be required to grab the 10 wickets. Pook and Henge took the new ball, and while Pook couldn't carry on from the week before, Henge bowled very nicely, getting in 3 early maidens and bowling the young opener, giving him excellent figures (1-22). JFH replaced Pook early, bowling with much better control than previous weeks and assistance from the surface, grabbed the big wicket of Tillinghams opener, caught at mid off by FGA, and the score board still moving well. Cooper replaced Henge, having not bowled for 9 weeks there was some good mixed with some very average, but the very average was chipped to Nobby who made no mistake, and JFH grabbed a second bowling the number 3 to finish his spell (2-20 from 9) and in amongst this there was a kamikaze run out, Pooks accurate throw running out the new man by a long stretch, Totham now well on top in the game. Then the star Tommy Wheeler came on, bowling with beautiful flight and control, grabbed a wicket straight away, enticing the batter forward and Timbles doing the rest of the work. A couple of lusty blows off Cooper kept Tillingham in contention, but Tommy's second, caught by FGA at cover kept us going. From here Tillingham put the pressure back on us, playing hit and run finding gaps well, but the introduction of GDs extra pace upset the rhythm, enduced a mis hit and Tommy Hawkridge snaffling. Job still not done, we knew one bad over would cost us, Tommy Wheelers only blemish missing a caught and bowled was soon redeemed it finishing his spell, as he teased a mis hit, and namesake Hawkridge doing the rest of the work, finishing with (3-42). Next over, first ball, Pook returned and the Tillingham skipper chipped to JFH at cover, and the second win of the season confirmed! Almost everyone contributing, and getting over the line where other games this year we have struggled.
Man of Match: Had to be the man on debut Tommy Wheeler, he batted ever so sensible with JFH (unlucky himself to miss out) to get a score on the board, and then bowled with bravery, flight and control in a tough situation, top work from such a young lad and a glimmer of promise for the future.
