Well a bit of a disappointing fi

With absolutely nothing to lose, this game was more about finding that fielding touch that had suddenly departed us the previous two games. In a change of tactics LSW were put into bat by the skipper, the idea being that if we rolled them for not a lot we would gladly accept the win and if they scored 300 plus we would all get to bat!.

So the challenge was to sort out our past woes with the ball. Steve Campbell had lined up most of the players for a bit of catching practice which was just as well as most seem to pop out of everyones hands. This practice was to hold us in good stead as Kai Tak began the session in total control. Parker and Farr with the new ball were simply brilliant, the former bowling ten overs straight for only 39 runs. His radar was on and caused all sorts of bother to the opening line up. Farr was equally impressive, not straying at all bowling 8 overs for only 31 runs, picking up 3 wickets along the way. Belcastro and Gordon had a trundle without reward and so it was the slow bowlers who managed to clean up most of the batting lineup. Why, because so much pressure had been put on LSW by the earlier bowling efforts, 69 runs at the 17 over mark, that they had to take risks. Ellis whilst not containing induced some rash shots claiming 2 wickets while Brad Haskett picked up one. Patidar timing his entry to perfection claimed four lower order scalps as LSW were uncharactastically bowled out for 209. The fielding was really something, Parker, a man who had lost all confidence fielding in the deep took 2 tremendous catches, one which was well on it's way for the maximum, flat and hard, but brilliantly taken on the run. Hawke behind the stumps and looking the part, took a great catch standing up to the stumps to add to a stumping a little earlier.

Unfortunately and not for want of trying the Tak came good in the bowling and fielding department but could not find the formula with the bat. Campbell and Patidar opening up only to lose Campbell early by way of a catch to thier only man on the leg side boundary in only the second over. Ellis looked to be getting back into form before he was bowled for 15 and Patidar followed shortly behind edging a non turning ball into the keepers gloves for 21.

Haskett 28 and Farr 16 started the revival with some solid hitting but that was soon to end with the introduction of a fiery young bowler as second change. He ended up taking 5 wickets at all the right times. The run rate kept rising and only Belcastro with a really good 32 mounted any sort of challenge until he was caught brilliantly behind square.

Another loss, but I thought it was a good day, batting is an individual thing, fielding is where the team aspect comes in and we were as good as anybody, it was brilliant, and that's what I'll take away from that day, holding unbeaten LSW to 209 all out. Just imagine if Williams had played.....could have been 150 all out!!!!