St Chads 1st XI v Olicanian 1st XI

Chads defied what was anticipated to be a wet day to bag their second league win of the season.

A delayed start allowed some groundwork to be completed, including the first outing of the new Chad Wicket Dryer (Lander's Hairdryer). We eventually got started just after 3, a 27 over contest. Alasdair Fearns winning the toss and electing to bowl first.

Ben Lapworth (1-40), in what was potentially his final appearance for the Chad, and Mitch Lewis (1-19 off 6) opened up - both taking a wicket to reduce the visitors to 36-2. With the bowlers restricted to 8 overs each, Atiq Khan was brought into the attack early and once again stifled and opposition chance of aggression taking 2-28 in his 7 over spell. Rob Heald took over the reigns from Ben at the Church end, picking up the wicket of dangerous West Indian, Kervon Christmas (after being dispatched for 3 hefty 6's). Rob did pick up another wicket, Chads 6th, meaning that we had then earned the same amount of bonus points that we would have had were the game abandoned, earning ourself the chance to go for the win - no matter what the target. This target ended up being 155, slightly higher than what could have been, but certainly a target that felt attainable.

Opening up the innings again was Mitch Lewis and Alasdair Fearns, looking to be aggressive in anticipation of further rain. Mitch was unlucky to play-on in the second over. with the top-order loaded and looking to score fast, the Chads reply got off to a fast start none-the-less. Alasdair, Jordan Wagner, Will Lander and Umar Ishaq all perishing in pursuit of quick runs. They added 29, 19,17 and 19 in quick time respectively allowing Chads to accumulate whist being ahead of the rate. Howard Johnson, batting in the unfamiliar position of 7 did exactly this, batting extremely well and picking the right balls to attack when they were required. He received fleeting support from the lower order, until Rob came in and dispatched a ball to the cover boundary to bring the required total down to 6 to win from the final over. Howard was on strike, to face the West Indian pace bowler. Dot, dot, dot. Tension began to grow amongst all gathered chaddies. Dot, dot. Chads seemed to have snatched defeat. So, the final ball was to bowled - Howard picking it up of his legs to dispatch it into the houses - SIX RUNS! Chads win an excellent game off the final ball.

A cracking result to defeat top of the table and pick up a bit of form going into the blank weekend!

MOM - Howard Johnson
TFC - Ewan MacNab (despite picking up a fielding point)