After a magnificent display, Chads have progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Waddilove Cup where they will face Bilton CC.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Tong Park found themselves reduced to 6-3 after some excellent new ball bowling from Ben Lapworth and Mitch Lewis. Priyanga Gamage then bowled with excellent control from the church end, causing the batsmen significant trouble with his late in-swing. He eventually caused both batsmen to drag-on having recovered breifly to 70-3. Priyanga also completed a run-out on the same score to reduce the visitors to 70-6. Bowling in tandem with Atiq Khan, the run rate was low and kept the pressure firmly on Tong Park to set a score, these dots enabled Atiq to pick up a couple of well deserved wickets. Rob Heald, playing his first game in the 1's this season was able to bowl well to a plan and maintained this pressure to capture the wicket of their lower order hitter for 42 (having previously dropped him of his own bowling).
Chads latest loose cannon, Ewan MacNab, supplied a lovely tea for all to sample. Including one spectator who took prime spot to clean up any leftovers!
Chads got their reply underway confident that the 175 1st Innings score was a good 75 runs under par. That being said, some good batting would be required to chase it down. Alasdair Fearns and Mitch Lewis got the innings off to a good start, the skipper taking the aggressive approach again. Having got to 49, he then chipped an attempted lofted drive straight to point. Having made the walk back to pavilion, he then found out that due to technical difficulties he had actually made 51 from 46. In contrasting style, Mitch was able to graft out a fifty to add to the jugs he already owes. Mitch received support from the classy looking James Bacon and a late cameo from Will Lander, who was able to delight the crown with some defiant defensive strokes. Mitch was unfortunate to get out for a well fought 53 from 121 just before Will hit the winnings runs.
So, having knocked out the runners up from last year, and another div. 2 side, Chads now face Bilton CC (Div. 1) on 25th June at home. Stay tuned and hang around after for another rendition of Toto's famous 'Catch the Lime'...