www.northholmwood.com

The skipper lost the toss on the best cricketing day of the season so far and Holmwood were asked to bat. Darren Jordan and Andy Guest had a short opening stand as Guesty got a lifter early and was caught behind for 4. The Chairman came to the wicket and brimming with confidence got an edge to 2nd slip where Pete Luard took a cracking catch, out for 1 with NH 15-2.
Clunk the wheels coming off................not quite as Jordan and Robin Lines nudged nurdled and scraped the total upwards. On a wicket that did something all day you had to ride your luck and eventually DJ was caught off a ball that seemed to stick in the wicket. Daryl joined Robin but he too was early on one and chipped tamely to Carl Chatfield. Andy Morgan kept with Lines for a while, long enough to see him to his maiden league century. Both fell in quick succession Lines 104, Morgan 14 leaving Steve Edwards, Dave Welton and Greg Lapere to see the total to 199 when the skipper called a halt to proceedings at 45 overs.

Lots for tea, in fact we didn't eat it all; most unusual!!

Nutfields reply started quickly but soon lost Barnes to a super catch in the slips by the Chairman off the Skippers bowling. With close fielders in, any ball piercing the ring seemed to go for 4. Morgs got the next 2 wickets both caught. Pete Fielding and Andy Pollock then started a match winning partnership, or so it seemed. Fielding profiting from many chances as the normally high standards in the field set by the visitors were lacking for the majority of the time. The bowling changes came and the introduction of spin seemed to change the face of the game. Jordan got many false strokes off both batsmen and Elliott had 2 or 3 chances put down. The breakthrough came as Jordan bowled Fielding around his legs. With 18 needed off the last 3 overs for victory Holmwood's fielding improved 100% with good catches and excellent ground work. Hastain, Luard and Pollock went in quick time leaving skipper Lyons and Morris to try and get the 6 to win off the last over. Skipper Goff bowled a beautiful line and kept Nutfield to just 4. A winning draw and maybe a get out of jail free card!!

NORTH HOLMWOOD 199 for 7 Drew with NUTFIELD 198 for 7