DOC AND THE SKIP ROUT ELTON VALE

After last week's gutsy effort at Elton Vale with a weak side, a not much stronger team took to the field against local rivals Elton Vale, who looked very strong on paper. Asif again lost the toss and in warm conditions, the visitors chose to bat, prompting thoughts of a long afternoon in the field.

The next hour proved a remarkable one. Doc was in inspired form, following last week's upping of performance with a similar leap here, and finally hitting full throttle. Wickets tumbled fast, stumps were splayed and after 15 overs the visitors were 19-7 with the top order decimated. Elton Vale's 11th man turned up at 2.30 to the horrific realisation he needed to pad up! Asif grabbed a couple and it was left to Doc to wrap up the innings with another bowled, leaving him with figures of 7-6 from 8.3 overs to complement the skipper's equally impressive 3-12 off 9 as the innings closed on 24.

With the game surely in the bag, a few batting order changes were made. Young Ry Marsh was sent out to open, and despite Totts losing Duncan and Watty (first ball) early on, he played an assured knock to withstand early pressure. Dan Ashburner also got a chance and scored some runs, and it was left to U15's Matt Bradshaw to spank the ball through midwicket for the winning runs and end the game at 3.45. Poor Al Vernon and Nick Hud had come down to enjoy an afternoon fo cricket and got about half an hour in ;)

So a great win to bolster hopes of 2nd place, and a terrific performance from the two bowlers as the season starts to wind down. The visitors were very gracious in defeat and played the game in good spirit, as usual. A final mention to the returning Clive, whose keeping was terrific, deservedly earning him the fielding points.

Scorecard

I Will if You Will Biffaward

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