Traffic on the M25 as we ventured to Ruislip for the first time. Boiling hot day we lost the toss and shock, were asked to field.
Rummage and I opened the bowling, and I got my first wicket for ages removing the opener for 5, smart catch by Andy D behind the stumps. Rummage bowled his best spell of the season by far, 10 overs on the reel, 1-25 kept the hosts subdued. Steady wickets flowed, 65-5 but a bit like last week a couple of lower order partnerships got Ruislip to 160 all out after 50 overs. Adam and I took 3 wickets each, Jonny A bowling another great spell too with 2-30 off 13.
In reply we lost another first over wicket LBW, James falling this time, but Chris and JG steadied it down taking the score to 51 before JG was out for 33. Willo joined Chris at the crease and we were soon 87-3 as Chris guided one to slip, Mikey joined Willo. Now a 2hour sleep from 7am to 9am is not the best prep for a game of cricket, especially on a roasting hot day, but a mature innings saw us nearly home Mikey with 27, Willo with 38, but as usual not without panic as a couple of late wickets needed the injured Rummage and the composed Andy D to see us home with 14 overs to spare.
Another good win without a few key players, availability could be our biggest opponent in the chase for the title/promotion.
MOM quite tough, tempted to give it to myself after bowling 14 overs in that heat the day after being best man at a wedding and all day on the booze, but feel that Jonny A's spell was match defining.
Home versus Amersham next week, we play our three big rivals next three games so that should shape where we will likely end up at the end of the season.