Bagshot 1st XI vs Hayes 1st XI 19th July 2017

With three wins from three a minimum requirement to stay in Division 2a, the team was selected with this only in mind. Adam as vice captain voluntarily dropped himself with the team result more important to him due to current form, so we welcomed Jack Sutherland, aka Figjam, to the fold for the first time, as well as Alex Wilson back too. On paper this was one of our strongest teams of the season, minus the season long injured Will and Rummage, plus our best batsman Jack, and middle order man Johnsy. If we had availability like this all season we would certainly not be in the position we find ourselves that i am 100% convinced of.
We/I lost toss again, and were asked to bat on what looked a sticky one after a huge downpour Friday mid afternoon. Special thanks to Brad and Geordie for giving up their time on Friday to come up and clear the water from the ground as much as possible to give us a chance of getting a game in. Thanks also to Jem for driving back early from holiday to get the ground and wicket playable, without volunteers this club would not be where it is.
So we started on time in the 50/50 win lose match, Chris going first over for four. Willow and Geordie then settled the nerves to add 88 before Geordie fell for a patient 25. Psycho, promoted to No4, joined Willo, and pushed the score quickly on to 174 before Willow fell for an excellent 86, Mikey came and went as were looking to push the score forward, Brad and Psycho added pushed the score on quickly, Psycho falling for 87, and Brad and Figjams late fireworks saw us reach 291-5 after 50 overs, Brad 38 not out off 31 balls and Figjam 25 not out off 10 balls.
Best batting performance of the season.
In reply, Hayes took the attack to us, especially me, and i hooked myself out of the attack after three long overs, Brad replaced me and got a wicket first ball, great decision skip!! George tried in vain and was replaced by Figjam, 2 overs later I introduced Jonny who as usual settled the nerves. Brad was toiling away at the other end, eventually finishing with 4-84 off ten overs. Jonny winning us the game with 3-10 off 7.4 overs, Hayes bowled out for 182 in 31.4 overs. Special mention to Psycho for a great run out and two catches, Mikey also claimed his 13th catch in the outfield too.
20 valuable points, our nearest rivals in the bottom scrap Maidenhead and Bray losing to the leaders bought us 14 points closer to safety.
We visit Maidenhead and Bray next weekend, and only a convincing victory with leave safety in our own hands, again the availability looks good again which is a good start!

MOM Psycho for great batting performance as well as the fielding skills.