Filled with relief to finally be returning to Bull Meadow for the first time this season, the 2s welcomed Rayleigh in what was already a very important match to kickstart our season. With the skipper down in Bournemouth, it was the Chairman who led the lads, calling on club legends the Mays brothers to fill his squad.
Winning the toss and batting first, the Chairman had nailed his first job on this super hot day. Sending the vicar in to bless the wicket alongside JC, the boys got off to a decent start before Hay had his stumps rearranged giving him plenty of time to prepare his Sunday sermon. J.Judd the next man in, swiftly departing two balls later, greatly inflating the Rayleigh bowlers ego in the process as he locked horns with JC. Bowling little over 60mph, the fella clearly thought he was Courtney Walsh, being sure to stare down JC at every opportunity (even when hit for 4’s, of which there were plenty). JC eventually departed allowing the May’s brothers to take the Rayleigh bowling apart for a brief but crucial period, Kevin hitting a couple of glorious 6’s into the Wheeler’s back garden. Sadly however, the Totham collapse struck again and from 86-3 the 2s found themselves all out for 116.
Despite little to defend, the mood was surprisingly positive at tea, with the ones skittled at Rayleigh, the lads knew they could count on some loud support as the game reached a peak, some early wickets and we were in this.
Early wickets didn’t quite materialise however as Owen started down the hill and threw up some dirty full tosses to allow Rayleigh to get off to a flier. Rightfully hooked after his first over, Owen was replaced by the returning Taidgh who along with Hot Wheels wrestled back control beautifully. Collapsing from 24-0 to 42-4, Rayleigh gave the 2s massive hope as their number three bat ran out anyone and everyone in a spell of pure carnage. Chat was flying, the sun was shining and Badger was bowling seed after seed, the nerves of Rayleigh could clearly be seen as slowly but surely wickets were chipped away. Ed Vale picked up two valuable wickets supporting Badger in his excellent spell before JC began probing up the hill. At 98-9 the anchor came down, Rayleigh were clear in their plan, see off JC and Badger and presumably take Owen apart to eventually win the game. The equation was clear therefore, Totham effectively needed to take two wickets before Badger’s spell was up. What followed was a spell of 8 of the tensest overs many will ever be apart of as Rayleigh grounded out maiden after maiden. Eventually with just 2 balls left Badger striked! Rayleigh were nine down with 7 still needed and now we were cooking with gas. 8 tense balls followed as Badger wrapped up an unreal spell and JC held his nerve to keep Rayleigh under pressure. With a number 11 at the crease, Taidgh replaced Badger down the hill, hoping to cartwheel some stumps. With nerves so frayed, it was all threatening to boil over off the pitch as someone clearly had put yet another 50p in Rayleigh’s Courtney Walsh. With so much tension in the air, victory for either side would have felt so so sweet, alas, Rayleigh’s number 9 held his nerve sealing victory with a four down the ground.
The most bitter of losses then for Totham who will be able to take heart from how close they ran a side up near the top of the table. A must win game awaits against 8th placed Great Waltham next week. Come on the boys.
