Bad luck halts 1sts

On a damp gloomy day at the Green, Willoughby's skipper Ben Hollis continued his bad luck with the coin, losing another toss and being put into bat. The visitors strong side used the conditions well and were soon in the wickets. Only Scott Cluley was able to keep the fight going at the top, after some more bad luck from 3 out of the first 5 Willoughby batsmen playing on to their own stumps. At this stage Willoughby were 46-5 but Scott continued to strike the ball well, including a lovely straight 6 and made his half century before falling on 53. A late rally by the lower order, Anshul Satsangi 28, Mark Fell 26 not out and Callum Hanks 18 not out gave the home side a chance with the team finishing on 163-9. Tony Hall was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors finishing on 4-26.

In reply the opening bowlers Dan Farrow and Justin Hanks were beating the bat every over until Dan made the breakthrough removing one of the openers. A change of bowling then looked to give Willoughby a chance as 2 wickets fell quickly, the first to Mark Fell and the next to Callum Hanks, leaving the score on 67-3. The visitors middle order then steadied the ship to put them in touching distance of the win, with just 1 more wicket to fall. Mark Fell finished the game with 2-16. The pick of the batting was Craig Burger's 66 not out.

On another day, things could have been different, but that's cricket, so onwards and upwards to the next game.