JANUARY 2007

After missing out on being promoted last year, having lost the last game to end up in third place, the finale of the 2006/07 season felt like make or break.

Starting the season with a loss to Bishops Waltham 2’s and then another loss against Winchester University meant that the pressure was on. The league seemed to be very close all the way through with some class opposition.

The final game saw three teams battling for two places. Longparish 2’s winning the first game of the evening, despite some awesome fielding from Winchester Uni, saw them hop scotch up to first place. The result from our game against Compton and Chandlers Ford 2’s would see first place being taken, the losers having to accept another season in division 3.

Losing the toss saw us put into field first. Compton’s batting capabilities were well known after they notched up over 175 in their previous game. Once again some fierce and intelligent batting saw a score of 155 on the board despite some good bowling and fielding. Solid batting saw one of the Compton guys tally up 54. Fortunately giving up was not an option and the last few overs saw all 6 wickets taken, restricting the score to what one would expect to be unassailable.

With ‘playing your self in’ not really an option we had to go for it, and that’s what happened. The openers, who were obviously taken care of over Christmas, took the lazy approach and aimed for the back wall. It wasn’t long before Adam Wymbs was heading to the door but a handy 19 never less. This was followed by Mike Barrett, fortunately after retiring on 27. So, after I took the number three spot and was then accompanied by an explosive Kev Bowen, the run rate was matched and then overtaken.

A quick 28 from Kev followed by some orthodox tail end slogging from Pete Boston put us in a winning position. After retiring on 28, followed in by Pete it was up to ‘Damage, Google, Shotgun’ Phil Dalton and Mike Barrett to finish off our cracking batting display. And they did with an over and a half to spare, *%$$*** Awesome!!!

Thanks to all of the players support and effort in this hugely emotional and energy draining rollercoaster of an indoor season. Indoor Cricket is where its at, especially as you don’t have to wash your whites all season, no grass stains. Looking forward to life in Div 2.

Ashley Mills, 1st XI (indoor) Skipper.