Midweek XI thrashed by Walcote

The Midweek XI got their first look at league leaders, Walcote, on a warm evening at The Green.
Missing Ashley Rayner and Nick Crane but with the in-form Richard Foxon available Willoughby won the toss and decided to bowl as the light would not be an issue. Walcote started well and reached 46 before Sean Thornton got the opener, Watson, to sky one up to mid off. The ball was up in the air forever and Simon Nicholls managed to keep his eye on it, almost literally. If he had dropped it the ball would have struck him firmly between the eyes but he fortunately took it cleanly despite the impact knocking him off balance and leaving him in an undignified heap on the floor.
This brought Jason Helmn to the crease and despite Willoughby's best efforts he and Chay Kalym set about the Willoughby bowling attack, hitting 4's and 6's almost at will. The dry wicket and still evening meant that there was no swing at all and little seam movement to aid the bowlers.
Ben Hollis eventually bowled Helmn for 34 with the score on 148 but Kalym destroyed every bowler to hit a magnificent 152 not out including 12 4's and 9 6's. He was aided by Lee Grewcock towards the end who finished 24 not out.

In reply Willoughby started cautiously in the face of some tight bowling and despite some early hope wickets fell regularly as the required run rate climbed. Only Richard Foxon (31) Hassan Nawaz (41) and Frank Claydon (24) offered any real resistance as Willoughby reached 138/9 from their 20 overs. We were well and truly hammered by the 9 man Walcote side and we can see now why they are top of the table :)

We play them again in a couple of weeks. To avoid a repeat I suggest that the only thing that we can do is spend some time in the nets practicing yorkers a foot outside off stump in order to try and restrict their scoring.

Unlucky lads!