Pennn Street vs Chalfont St Peter

Chalfont St Peter 294-5 (N. Colins 150*; K. Werrell 3-64) beat Penn Street 82-10 (M. Reavey 31; T. Murphy 4-14) by 212 runs

To the smart league ground of Chalfont St Peter, where the continued indisposition of our Captain meant that Paul Goodchild took the reins for the first time this season. The wicket was flat and hard, heavily prepared - would it yield any bounce for Jack Mendy and Goody? The Chairman was asked to don his helmet, but it only took a couple of overs to see that it was a batsman’s track, low and slow, and Rob soon retreated nursing a bruised thigh for his pains. Jack and Goody toiled manfully, but the Chalfont St Peter openers were in charge and looking to cut loose when Jack skittled Stannard for 29. A change to take the pace off the ball brought Pete Lofty on for Goody, but without success. It wasn’t until Kieran Werrall and Tyler Armiger were brought on that we started to look more penetrating, but all the time the opener Neal Collins was looking more and more threatening, encouraging his young colleagues with calls such as “Run, run like the wind”, more Neville Cardus than MCC handbook. Bowling restrictions meant that Kieran and Tyler had to come out the attack, and Chris Hammond’s slow left armers were tried for a bit of variety, but to no avail. Neal Collins accelerated first to a century then to 150 not out in an innings of controlled aggression as Chalfont St Peter racked up an imposing 294-5. Pick of our attack was undoubtedly our youngest player - Kieran Werrell’s 3-64 is his best return for the club and confirms him as a definite talent for the future.

Facing such at total meant we had to get off to a good start, and Matt Reavey looked in good form, but the Chalfont St Peter bowlers knew how to get the most out of their own track and were always threatening. Wickets fell steadily and when Matt was out for 31 all it looked a forlorn hope. A couple of big hits from Jack Mendy did little more than ensure dignity was retained, but our final total of 82 all out consigned us to one of our heaviest defeats of the season.

Man of the Match: K. Werrell