LEAGUE SUCCESS FOLLOWED BY CUP DEFEAT BY EXCELLENT ELTON VALE OUTFIT

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for the firsts, with an excellent victory against ELPM in the league followed by heartbreak in the cup semifinal against an Elton Vale side which proved superior in most departments.

After a week of rain, much credit must go to the drains and the hard work of the players to get the pitch ready both days, and we were rewarded with some good cricket. Having been put into bat by ELPM on Saturday, Totts managed to rattle up 190 all out, thanks chiefly to Rus who scored a cavalier 61, stand-in skipper Marshy who played a blinder of a cameo, smashing 4 sixes in one over, and Scunners, Duncan and Carl who all chipped in. Despite a positive start, wickets fell regularly for the visitors, with Asif claiming 4 in a super opening spell and Marshy wrapping up the tail to finish with 3-0 just moments before a heavy downpour arrived.

Sunday's cup semifinal was highly anticipated, with both sides boasting plenty of big game players. However it was the visitors who proved better in all departments, showing some great prowess in the field - despite a superb opening partnership of 90 from Ash (yet another 50) and Duncan, a platform of 120-1 was frittered away to leave a par(ish) total of 162. The highlights of our innings included some glorious drives from Ash, a BOOM from Scunners and some quite excellent fielding from the visitors, the catch to remove Nelly in particular standing out.

With 162 to defend, it was going to be hard work for the cup holders. Asif and Doc produced a great 12 over burst, with Asif capturing two early wickets, and which really ought to have been three but for a careless drop in the field which would have left Elton Vale at 20-3. The third wicket eventually put on 100 runs. Carl then returned and took three wickets to leave the score at 120-5 with 12 overs left. With the game seemingly on a knife edge, Elton Vale's number 7 arrived and launched into some enormous hits - mixed with some quite horrendous shots which could have cost him his wicket several times. Still, he took his chance and got Elton home with overs to spare. We wish them well in the final.