1STS GO DOWN TO ELTON VALE
After last week's horror show at Westleigh it was vital that the 1sts bounced back against title contenders Elton Vale; the end result was the same - a defeat - but there were a number of positives to report.
With general uncertainty over the wicket and the possibility of bad weather (unfounded in the end), Kieran won the toss and elected to bat. It looked a good decision after 10 overs, with 27 on the board for no wickets and KC and Nelly B seeing off the new ball. Despite the slow progress, hopes were high with plenty of batting to come. Unfortunately the change bowlers then ripped the heart out of Totty's batting, with the two openers followed to the shed by the returning Doc P (1), Dan Ashburner (1) and Marshy for an unfortunate duck.
As in recent weeks, the middle order helped see us to a reasonable score, with Clive, Nick Marsh, and Asif all getting quick runs. However a score of 112 was unlikely to prove enough against a big hitting Elton Vale side.
Asif struck in the first over, but the tone for the day was then set when Vale's number 3 hit his first ball halfway to Bury; the unlucky Doc saw 4 catches spilled in quick succession, but did manage to send off one batsmen in very uncharacteristic style as tempers frayed. Asif took a couple more wickets, and at 60-4 we were in the hunt. However the big hitters had other ideas, and with 6 wickets in hand the score ticked past 100. Neil then struck and when Ry Marsh had another player in the shed off his 2nd ball, the visitors had a slight wobble on at 106-6. Unfortunately the final danger man was then dropped on 0 by Ryan off his own bowling, and followed it up three balls later by launching another six into orbit to win the game.
In the face of a ridiculous onslaught of hoicks and massive hits, the bowling stood up well, both openers unlucky not to pick up more scalps; with more luck and better catching, the visitors could have been gone for 60. As it was, Elton press on in search of a title (and good luck to them), and we continue on in search of an elusive win or two.
