In a must win game Newark arrived at the ground early and were clearly in a mood to upset the home side. Losing the toss and being asked to bat, a decision I was happy with, I asked Todd and Carr to open up with the intention to bat Newark out of the game. Paul Todd, who was due a big score, started steadily with Ben, but Ben was first to go with a score of 19. Max Danby, returning to the side showed signs of his return to form and fell just short of his 50, scoring 46. Todd went on to reach a fine 74 before being bowled. Fisko, who with a batting line up anyone would be pleased with ended up on 241 for 6 with Gareth Rees ending on 45 not out.
Feeling in a confident mood we took early wickets putting Newark under immediate pressure. It was looking like it could be a good afternoon. Hedge with a fine diving catch, set the tone by removing the opener. But the arrival of Steve Kenniwell, it all changed with the bowlers feeding him what he likes and it looked like it was going to slip through our fingers. Only bowling changes and a good catch changed things, with the introduction of Collo Jnr and a good close catch by Gareth seeing off 'Kenni' for a fine 97.
Ali Hall bowled steadily and got a 'five for' and Dan bowled well and showed guts at the end for a four wicket performance saw us through with a couple of overs and two runs to spare with the eventual depature of wicket ten caught by Paul Todd giving Fisko a nervy win and twenty points. The youth in the side proved vital with the ball, bat and in the field.
This goes a long was to securing Division D cricket next year but is not over yet. It is important that the team stick together through thick and thin as a unit for the remaining fixtures. |
