Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory

Batting first Ben and Gaz made their customary good start both then being dismissed when in. Badger looked in good form from the off and hit 14 fours and a six in his 80 Will supported with 38 in a score similar to last week of 231-7

In reply Rich and Thorpey plunged Thorpe Arnold in deep despair as 5 wickets fell for 12 runs, Thorpey taking the prized wicket of Hickman. Charlie Read started to lift the rate and found a willing partner in Garner. James joined the attack and soon had Garner well caught by Craig. Sam Pollard then joined Read in what became the match winning partnership.

Read reached his 50 but Pollard who looked shaky early on developed his innings in fine style. Anything short got the treatment but cow corner was also a favourite area. Pollard reached 50 and went into overdrive hitting 3 big maximums, before eventually Ben took a great catch at deep cow corner. The partnership had put on 137 in 22 overs and form a position of 58-6 this was a fine effort.

Skipper Randall then joined Read and again a partnership developed, but with only 10 needed Read was bowled by Gaz for a well played 76, Clarke then was held at long on by Craig with 6 needed. Last man Pepperdine joined Randall who played a skippers knock to find the square leg boundary and finish 24 not out by squeezing a tight single off the final ball of Gaz's over.

Pepperdine didn't face a ball and the number 11 was a relived man as Thorpe Arnold recorded a dramatic 1 wicket win. Countesthorpe can reflect on a couple of opportunities that went begging in what was a very good game against one of the leagues 2 form teams. Next week we take on the other form team when we travel to Leics ivanhoe