Willoughby VS Thrapston CC

It was another super hot day as the first team arrived at Thrapston CC. The first's had a lot of changes in there team due to availability, Chait, Hassan, Scott and Vikas all missing who have been a big part of the team so far this season mainly with the bat. With that in mind skipper Ben Hollis won the toss and made the brave decision to bowl first in the heat.

Callum Hanks and Mark Fell opened up the bowling and kept things tight from the off, Callum had one wicket to his name with another fine catch by Hollis in the slips. Fell bowled a decent line with massive swing which caused all sorts of problems for Thrapston's batsmen 18-0 off 7.
Dan Farrow and Stuart Bonthuys were brought into the attack and looked sharp on a very unpredictable pitch, Farrow ripped through their middle order and picked up a well deserved 4 wickets. Bonthuys was to good on the day missing the edge of the bat countless times and James Loader riding his luck with around 12 inside edges for his very shaky 63.Farrow 42-4 off 10 Bonthuys 33-1. Thrapston were 146-6 and Alex Hislop was brought on finish the game off, Hislop picked up 2 quick wickets (2-2 off 2 overs )and left Thrapston struggling on 149-9. Hanks (15-2 off 6.4) picked up the last wicket and Thrapston were 150 all out.

Dan Farrow stepped up and opted to open the batting with inform Callum Hanks. Things didn't get off to a good start loosing Hanks without scoring in the first over. Matt Sutton joined Farrow in the middle and steadied the ship for a few overs before chipping one in the air and was caught 10-2. Ambrose Deery looked to put together a partnership with Farrow and get the score board ticking over, they managed to get 15 overs before a confusion between the wickets and Deery was run out 39-3. Farrow was trapped LBW for a well made 17 and Willoughby was
slumped to 41-4. Hollis and Rayner put together and 29 run partnership before Hollis edged behind and was caught for 10. Bonthuys joined Rayner and looked to rotate the strike and edge closer to the total. Rayner was caught at point for 24 which brought Matt Goss to the crease 88-6. Bonthuys looked in good touch striking the ball well to the boundary and made his half century in some style including 2 huge sixes. This partnership was key to our innings and Goss knew it defending his wicket well and giving Bonthuys the strike as much as he could. Goss couldn't see us home and was caught, Mark Fell 5* and Stuart Bonthuys 65* saw us home in the 34th over.

What a game of a cricket and a superb performance from Stuart Bonthuys with the ball and bat which won us the game. That's 5 huge wins on the bounce now as we look to close the gap on points in the table. Were on the road again next weekend to Desborough which is a now a massive game as they lost this weekend and they now sit behind us in the league table. Availability is going to play a big part of the second half the season as both teams are in good form and looking for their chance of promotion.