The Totham train was well and truly rolling as we made the journey to Tillingham. Four wins in as many matches and we were pulling into Tillingham station, a side who had lost their last three and also lost key players in transfers to Hatfield Peveral. Dan Quartermaine was promoted following 4/16 in the 2s last weekend, the newfound confidence and speed in his bowling clear for all following training on Thursday. George Baron the man to make way. Tom Hawkridge & Jonny Hewer swapped around again, and Rob Mutton was promoted for Josh Chadwick following his 82*.
Rob won the toss, again, that's 8/10 now stark contrast to his time as 2nd XI captain, and elected to bowl. This prompted a joyful smirk from his opposing number "You don't bowl first here". We weren't too fussed, we're on a roll. Sam & DQ opened up, and wickets began falling quickly. First a fantastic catch at gully by Joe Davis, followed by the first of four catches by Dan Allen & a looping slower ball that deceived the Tillingham number 4 & castled him. Cheesey was again brought into the attack early, and wickets continued, but it was the man with the marathon run-up, DQ, who claimed the spoils, finishing his first spell on four wickets and decimating the Tillingham top order. Cooper joined Cheesey and both put the breaks on in the middle overs, neither going above 3.5 an over, and both picked up key wickets. Tillingham's tail wagged perhaps more than we would have liked, assisted by some poor fielding and three pretty regulation drops. DQ took some tap from their number 9 spoiling his figures. Before having the last laugh & completing a well-deserved 5 fer (5/51) in the process. 144 all-out for Tillingham. We were confident the winning streak would continue.
Liam fell LBW early, a decision which on another day may not have been given, but Cooper & Hawkridge saw us solidly through to 53/1. Then, like a switch had been flicked, the pitch began to misbehave from almost nowhere. Credit where it is due, the Tillingham bowlers exploited conditions perfectly (clearly experienced in the pitch deterioration), balls were exploding off a length, followed by one that would shoot through. 53/1 became 97 all out, the only real note after Cooper & Hawkridge dismissals being a confident 16 from the returning Rob Mutton. There were 3 ducks, and Cheesey was not able to replicate his heroic innings from last week to drag us any closer to the target. Our worst collapse of the year by far, and a frustrating end to the unbeaten run.
Post match, we were told of how last week chasing 128 and being 80/2, Tillingham had themselves crumbled to 99 all out. So as it turns out, you don't elect to bowl first at Tillingham & perhaps we need to pay closer attention to how teams are winning at each ground.
We welcome Aythorpe Roding to Bull Meadow next weekend. Lets get the train rolling again!
Starman: Dan Quartermaine - 9/0/51/5
