The sun was shinning, but traffic delays around Tolworth meant that Leisure took the field with only 5 men, having lost the toss and put out to field. Paul and Swain opening up the bowling. One by one Leisure turned up and by about the 6th over we were at the full 11. Game reduced to 18 overs due to the delayed start. Chris, Rick, Don and Wendel chipped in with tight overs, restricting OCCC to just 117/4 off 18. Jim taking a confidence boosting catch, Wendel giving a few over throws, Paul/ Mike taking a stumping that was out, but in the spirit of the game wasn't....
Into bat, Swain out from a good catch for a duck. Knobby and Jim keeping up with the run rate. Wickets started tumbling as the overs ticked by and the run rate increased. At 5 down, we needed 60 off the last 7. Steve, Wendel, Phil, Don, Paul all chipped in with brisk runs. 27 then needed off 4 overs. Suddenly 9 down with 13 needed off the last 2 with the light going quick. Tense stuff. Mike was dropped but got Rick on to strike. 4 needed off the last 2 balls, Rick doing the business with an almost 6, for HL to win with one ball to spare, and Rick ending up on 17no. Jim top scoring with 20.
That's two wins against OCCC this season. Yet another close game. We've had some thrillers over the last few years. In recent times (we used to play in the 90's at Kingston and Boston Manor, and then didn't play for about 10 years (apparently we weren't strong enough)), we've played 12 times; 5 loses, 5 wins and 2 ties. We almost always seem to bat 2nd (the two times we've batted first we've won). The loses have been generally big loses, collapsing in the chase for runs, but the wins have generally been close. Obviously the ties have been even closer, both batting second. Usually we bowl and field well, but then our batting response has been mixed. Chris and Rick have taken fifers and Wendel has had big knocks the few games he's played.
Young Luke came to watch HL play, and saw us win for the first time. Hopefully, he'll be pushing for a place in the next season or two.
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