Vital win against promotion chasing Oakham

Oakham were asked to bat on a flat track, the dangerous Cameron Flowers effortlessly stroking his first delivery to the boundary. However Thorpey produced a tidy spell, and Hayden occasionally troubled both batsmen with his pace and bounce. After a slow start Vivek Naker found his rhythm and the 100 partnership arrived in the 18th over.

Joe bowled well and Craig kept it tight but still no wickets as the partnership reached 150 With 300 looking on, Toony joined the attack and soon had Flowers well held by the safe pair of hands that belong to Ben, Craig nipped out Shukla as Naker headed to his ton. The introduction of Gaz changed the direction of the game with wickets tumbling Oakham stuttered to 249 for 6 Gaz ending on 3-24

Ben and Gaz got the inning off to a good start will the help of extras, the pair putting on 73 before Ben feathered behind. Craig promoted up the order started cautiously as Gaz ticked over nicely. The 100 arrived in the 23rd over but with wickets in hand the target was still within reach. Craig pressed the accelerator reaching an excellent 50 before the returning Charlie Baker had him brilliantly caught by skipper Richard Martin behind the stumps

Gaz reached a great half century, as skipper Dave was was adjudged caught behind much to his surprise!. Smig played a cameo smashing Cameron Down for a straight six and four as the 200 came up in the 38th over. Cowley had Smig caught at long on and Sy perished in the chase. Hayden them joined Gaz and played some cultured drives as the board ticked over. Gaz was heading for his ton but more importantly the game needed winning. With the introduction of Flowers Hayden took his chance and hit the biggest 6 of the season last seen heading along Station Rd before missing a straight one. Gaz reached 97 with 5 needed to win, but Thorpey ever the team man decided he would win the game in 2 balls and that he duly did with fluent stroke play!

A high quality chase, superbly anchored by Gaz who deserved a century, great support from the middle order and despite the odd fielding lapse, probably the best display of the season. Upwards and onwards to a huge game versus Lutterworth next week