Get well soon Dom

On behalf of all of us in the club and from numerous messages from Little Waltham, lets pass on our hopes and wishes as Dom begins his long road to revovery. Lets also take stock and realise why we all play the game, its not just about winning on the field, its about the company we keep, the social times we spend togehter, the good times and the bad times. At the moment it is a bad time for Dom, and then we complain when we fail (and I have been the biggest culprit for that), BUT WE always have next week - something that Dom hasn't for a while. We all take things for granted at times and this must bring life into perspective - it could happen to any of us at any time. Lets savour every minute of the game we play, lets give our best rain or shine, league or friendly and ensure others whether with us or against us do likewise. After all that is what Dom does and will do when we see him back - GIVES HIS BEST. Get well soon mate our hearts really go out to you.


Second Team report v Old Chelmsfordians

When the man who doesn't rate any bowling says "that's the best bowling attack we will face this season" then you know Drifter's either drunk or seriously impressed. And against some quick and very aggressive bowling we were soon 36-4 with Callum at the crease and Ashley looking 4 stones overweight courtesy of a little protection! What followed was simply fantastic.

As Ash totally blunted the South African, with a combination of bat and body, Callum started to unleash some beautiful off drives and the running between the wickets meant the fielders could never relax. The score moved past the 100 mark before Callum just played slightly early and was out for a very impressive 48 (from the look on his face as he trudged off you knew that he had counted them all). This brought Farmer Hayes to the wicket and it wasn't long before we heard mooing followed by fielders on the boundary at deep fine, deep square, deep mid-wicket (cow for those in the know), long on and (somewhat redundantly) long off. The score started to push on and suddenly 180-200 looked on.

The return of Van Rooen was greeted by Ash getting rid of his helmet and then stepping back to crash a cut over point for 4. Meanwhile Drifter added to his frustration by constantly walking down the wicket and aiming for the farmyard. By now the control had gone from the bowling and the fielding became more and more erratic. With both batsmen on 48 whoever got the strike was going to win the race. The next ball to Drifter was flayed through the packed leg-side field for 4 and later in the same over Ash crashed yet again over square point for another boundary. The skipper then departed with both on 52.

This left just enough time for Ash to progress to 60 and for the debutant Mark Riley to whack a six over square leg. Ash got out with one over to go but the middle trio had at one stage moved the score from 36-4 to 215-5 before ending on a competitive 228-7.

OC's task was made more difficult with the swing available at the start of their innings and after the first 13 overs they had just reached 2 an over. Special mention must go here to Joe Barnes who opened up with 6 overs for 11, bowling a consistent line and length with a little away swing thrown in. As debutant Riley and Farmer Hayes on came the batsmen needed to open up and hence both took wickets in their first over (I agree, Joe, there's no justice). We were off and running and more wickets soon followed culminating eventually in a suicidal run-out. With Callum still to come (and receiving fantastic coaching from the OC's umpire along the way) the rate required increased until eventually more than 10 an over was the order. As Drucey will say "you can hit me once, maybe twice on a good day but not three times". In fairness the tail did pick up the challenge but as long as we kept our discipline the risks were going to be huge and so it proved. Drucey had the last laugh.

Why did we win? Well this is what makes me so proud, only 3 of that team played for the 2's last year, a number of people are being asked to step up a notch, they all want to learn, they are all learning quickly, the attitude is first class and the energy is exhausting. But the old stagers did their part as well. Sculph has probably not slept as well for years after some great boundary-riding, throwing and a couple of good catches (one especially so). Hayes was virtually impregnable at gully (Pete that is) and we can now be certain that Drifter takes after his Mother. Well done to Mark Brennan who didn't get a bowl this time but kept great concentration and effort going to the end.

On paper we should not have won... but we play on grass not paper. With a fantastic attitude and discipline we got the result. Thanks and same again next time please.

DT

Firsts loose Tight match at Galleywood

Despite the rousing efforts of Brad Thompson with a startling confident 53 and Martin Paige 62, the total of 203 was not enough as Galleywood passed their target with a ball to spare. However, on a paper the reported inexperience of first team debutants in the names of Lewis Bickford and Chris Ashdown with both taking important wickets and bowling extremely well, will send shockwaves to the 'experienced pros' that their places our now under threat!!

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