Midweek Last Ball Thriller – Again!

For the second consecutive week the In-Betweeners suffered a last ball defeat, this time to Great Horwood.

Skipper Guns won the toss and fancied a bat on the perfect track for it.  The other Leonard’s (Joe, Stuart) opened up and set off at a rate thanks to Stuart plundering Ellison’s first over for 24. (-4143246).  A big score was looming with Marsh on 38 off 3 overs, but Harper was bowling tight and a mistimed cut from Joe was taken behind and a straight one from Morrison castled Stuart. The shot selection from the Marsh middle order was woeful and sharp square leg fielding from Andy Gilder with 2 run outs resulted in Marsh adding only 13 runs for 5 wickets in 40 balls.

Skipper, when not running out partners, glued the innings with 19 and hit the only four between overs 3 and 12 when Crossy clubbed a brace!  Marsh closed disappointingly on 87 for 8 from the 12, 8 ball overs.  All the Leonards scoring 19.  Morrison the pick of the Horwood bowlers conceding only 7 for 2 off his 3 overs.

Marsh needed an early strike (or more!) and Needham bowled Bridgman 5th ball to get things started, but Jaybone’s over suffered some fine strikes and went for 15. Skipper gave Abbott a blow(?) and struck immediately to bowl Cranshaw.  Needham completed a tight spell (3-14-1) and half way through the overs Horwood were 42-2.

Willett was the danger man and batting well. Marsh needed to attack the other end and keep Willett off strike.  The plan worked well and Marsh restricted Willett to singles and locked down the other batter.  Chambers and Vadivale kept up the pressure but Horwood edged closer to the inadequate total.

Last over and 10 required by Horwood.  Joe Leonard had calmly pouched Willett (56) running along the fence  in Chambers previous over and so new batters were at the crease.   Two singles and a Two, then WICKET! Skipper catches Armitage.  Dot, then Two, and disaster as a leg side wide runs away for Two more.  One required from the last 2 balls with all the Marsh fielders within 10 yards of the bat. DOT!  Last ball and one required – flick fine off the legs by Morrison and game over.

Excellent tight cricket match with Horwood edging home in front of a decent crowd.  Thanks to the ‘other’ Leonard at the ground for a spell of Umpiring and the League Officials for scoring too.