Finally the match report from the latest Northern Gateway VI was submitted after the author had been too busy watching the best game of cricket in recent times. Played on a surface very similar to the one in Pakistan the Northern Gateway side took on Tendring. Struggling for bodies, some Friday night Bull persuasion saw Henge and Issey coming in for the Vales, Timbo also returned for RK.
Pook won the toss and chose to bowl, Henge straight away keeping things tight, before Issey brought an early breakthrough and a sharp bit of work from Timbo standing up and getting the stumping. Similarly tight overs followed from Yeatsey and JFH despite our fielding floundering and Pook dropping a chance (it swings in the air!) meant Tendring weren't getting away, and in the fifth over Pook got his first bowling the number 3. With the bowling rolling back round, we were well ahead, slightly aided by the decision not to give leg side wides. Henge was again tight but wicketless, so Issey had to show him how's it's done, once again combining with Timbo for a caught behind and our third. Tim then earned his jug, a sharp leg side take off JH, and another bowled for Pook left Tendring 5 down and struggling, and Yeatesy quickly wrapped up the innings, caught off the wall by JH for a score of just 46, easily chaseable with our batting.
Henge carried on his outdoor role of always opening (the batting and bowling), and along with Tim set about the low total, Joe testing the back wall with 2 4s in the first over and 2 6s in the second to get us close straight away. Henge decided to then test the roof, not as profitable but enough for him to retire. Yeatsey in and out quickly, second time in two weeks triggered by JFH, this time walking Infront of his stumps. Issey struggled to get going, Tim unfairly with scores tied decided to run him out. Needing one, JFH tapped four dots down, and was nearly caught, definitely not ready for bazball. Thankfully Tim finally took matters into his own hands, got the runs and finished 15*.
A different game to the first, better performance, next up Witham dependent on the state of the world cup final!
