Totham arrived at the usually beautiful Stock CC for their game, however with the wind blowing and outfield uncut it didn't look its usual picturesque self. Nobby back in as skipper following his stag trip, lost the toss and we were bowling, Cheesey, JFH, Baron, Tommy and Fga also back in the mix following Liams wedding.
Baron and Henge took the new ball and started very well, Henge nicking off the opener early to Tim, who is well on his way to a record amount of keeping dismissals in the season. The other opener started going hard at us, but after a swift change, RK on for Baron, his wicket fell, Cheesey running around for a good catch from mid off. From here Stock built, RK and Pook, who had replaced Henge, bowled OK but anything loose was put away. Cheese and JFH came into the attack, starting very well and looking like something might happen, JFH having an LBW turned down and missing a tight run out, while Cheese was edged anywhere through slip except to Henge, before Nobby had to fill in after feigning injury to his calf!
Stock after drinks looked composed and upped their rate, before Totham dropped the left handed twice quickly, first a high chance to JFH off his own bowling, before two balls later a firm chance to Baron at cover. Insult to injury followed as the lefty then planted JFH straight through his own car windscreen, and progressed towards a 100. Cheese and JFH finished up, both arguably bowling better than figures suggested (0-47 and 1-48 respectively) but now it looked like a chase of another high score, with our poor fielding creeping in and contributing! We did grab some wickets, Baron somehow clinging on to the lefty which otherwise would have knocked his teeth out, before Pook and Tim executed a good run out next ball. Baron grabbed another before finishing (2-75) and Pook an LBW in the last over but the chase was going to be a chase of 275.
Tea rating: Build your own sandwiches, can be hit and miss but not too bad, good pizza and cake 7.5/10
With skipper Nob now hiding at 11, FGA was elevated to open and played some glorious shots to get us off to a great start. Henge kept him company, and we were going well at 77 off 15 before he was bowled by one that didn't bounce. Tommy joined Henge, but the Stock change bowlers started slowing the scoring. Henge departed looking to go over the top, Tommy quickly followed, as did Pook and Tim, and suddenly a dressing room scramble and the game looking a long way away. When last recognised batsman Melman fell with the total on 140, the chase was all but over, but cameos from Cheese (27) JFH (25) and Baron (21) dragged us through some batting points, with the last wicket falling on 222 with a ball to spare trying to get to 225.
A tough day, in reality one player took the game from us but we missed our chances to change that fact. Back to back home games follow and are massive if we are to survive this year.
