FIELDS PUT VALLANCE TO BED

Needing a win to attain 2^nd Division status against a team also needing success to qualify for the top league, an epic performance was required – three hours later we had delivered just that.

Losing the toss (again) and fielding first (again), Ty and Steve bowled perfect lines to the opposition’s openers. Ty rewarded with an early wicket after forcing the batsman into wild swings at the ball. Two more soon followed for Steve, with help from great catches by Alex and Will, and we were well set. After 8 overs Vallance had just over 50, were 3 wickets down and another bat had retired hurt. Our opponents have a fine record in this league though and fought back with a mix of clever singles and aggressive hitting. John, Chris, Ruby and Will all took a bit of a pasting and after the full sixteen overs, we were set a target of 156.

A quick start was essential, and Paul T(ea) and John got us going at 10 an over with some excellent exploiting of the gaps in the field. With boundaries hard to find, John ran five consecutive 2’s at one stage. Shattered, he was bowled by the Vallance spinner on 30. A similarly run happy Paul T(ea) followed soon after for a whippet-like 25 and we risked collapse. Needing 83 off the last 8 overs, Will and Alex consolidated before opening up. An injury to Alex left him needing a runner, but he was still able to find the gaps enough to get Will on strike. A huge 6 when on 48 gave Will his half-century and retirement and just 14 were needed from the last 2 overs…

The returning Vallance opening bowler finally took the wicket of Alex (17), and Chris and Ruby could only scratch 2 runs off the over. With 2 new batsmen and 12 needed from the last 6 balls things were tense. The fielding side’s tails were up and there were more than a few words…so the last over…

1^st ball – Chris hit for 4 and the game was back on…

2^nd ball – A wide. 7 needed from 5.

2^nd ball (again) – Chris managed to get bat on ball and a quickly sprinted 3.

3^rd ball – Ruby hit for 2 – 2 needed for victory.

4^th ball – Played and missed, momentum swung back a little.

5^th ball – Clump! Ruby hammered straight down the ground for 4.

A 4 wicket victory in fading light, our biggest ever successful run chase and a game where all 8 played a key role. Will’s 50 was a joy to watch, Ty and John kept their heads and umpired admirably in a pressure cooker situation, and a special mention to Turley who kept score when we ran out of players in the enveloping chaos.

Scorecard below...

Woop!