Harefield 2nd XI vs Bagshot 1st XI May 20th 2017

A second away match in a row saw us visit Harefield for the first time in many years. Searching for our first league win of the season and also looking forward to what used to be the best tea in the league, the forecast was not favourable though.

We arrived just in time for the rain to start, but the quality covers and quick drying ground allowed us to start on time, toss lost for the third match running we were asked to bat first yet again. Our third consecutive different opening partnership saw us welcome back Chris Hollely following a couple of weeks spent at Her Majesty's pleasure to partner Stu. Not a great start as ring rust proved Chris's undoing going in the first over for four. Johnsy joined Stu and after two short rain breaks the match was reduced to 45 overs per side.
Amazingly the rain skirted around us and no more stoppages occurred. Stu was out lbw missing a full toss, new Dad Alex Wilson was also playing his first game of the season, he came in at four. Timing the ball sweetly from the start, he advanced the score quickly before perishing to the left arm spinners second ball. Johnsy was quietly going about his business looking the player we remembered from his first stint, and Mikey came in at 5. The score was pushed along before Johnsy departed, Brad and Penfold didn't add too many and George then joined Mikey, who was going well. Mikey finished unbeaten on 49 with our total of 129-8 not the best. The Duckworth Lewis formula then recalculated our score to 137, due to overs lost, so Harefield required 138 for victory.
Tea was very nice, but the long gap between visits reminiscing of their quality made the legend much greater than it really was, however they are significantly better than the majority we are served that is for sure.
George and I opened the bowling, George immediately making an early breakthrough, before i took 2 in 2 balls to leave the hosts struggling on 15-3. The impressive young opener Macloud, who also bowled a great spell of left arm spin, was joined by the skipper who settled the innings a little before for the first time in my bowling career the skipper smashed one straight back at me and it clipped my foot and crashed into the stumps, the youngster out of his ground. Jonny came on and bowled another tidy spell as he usually does. Wickets steadily flowed, the Duckworth Lewis par score on the board made interesting reading as Harefield always seemed well behind, Brad chipping in with useful wickets getting the skipper and the hosts were really in the mire at 70 odd for 9. The last pair added the best partnership of the match and we were fearing the worst before the brothers Passfield combined to seal the victory. Penners took a couple of impressive stumpings during the innings too. Couple of catches for Mikey and also Jonsy with what we think is his first one for the club!!!

All in all a good day, however we need to get some better partnerships going and start to build the platform for the bowlers.
MOM Mikey Davis, held the innings together. Home game next week against an old foe in Chesham, fingers crossed we get some warm weather this week.