Penn Street vs Cranbourne

Penn Street 62-9 (R. McSorley 14; M. Robinson 3-12) beaten by Cranbourne 63-1 (O. Watson 40; P. Goodchild 1-22) by 9 wickets

To Windsor, and Cranbourne's pretty ground in the shadow of Windsor Castle. Sadly, Her Majesty was not in residence, having weightier constitutional matters on her mind. Captain Chris Fletcher won the toss, but on a fast, bouncy track Mark Gloyens and Rob Sutherland soon found themselves back in the Duck House faster than you can say "Sir Peter Viggers". Richard Spooner came to the crease, but, after a mix up with Fletch which made the pair of them look as decisive as Lib Dems faced with a Hung Parliament, he was quickly run out. Fletch followed soon after, at 16-4, bringing Steve Smith and Ross McSorley to the crease. Ross made the opening bowling look easy, as he stroked a couple of stylish cuts to the boundary. Unfortunately, a change of attack brought the slower bowlers on, his eyes lit up and was bowled for an impressive 14. Meanwhile Steve Smith at the other end was not interested in going anywhere. He stuck his front foot down the pitch and resolutely battled for 71 minutes for 5 runs. This was the stability that was needed. Tyler Armiger joined him and looked in control as he accumulated 11, continuing the fightback. Steve finally succumbed at 62-5. And several minutes later, we were all out, not having added to our total.

Having a total to defend more precarious than the tightest Labour marginal , Paul Goodchild and Ross McSorley opened the bowling, whilst Cranbourne led with a pair of big hitters as they tried to hit the runs before the rain set in. Goody looked hostile and had the batsmen in trouble several times, whilst Ross was swinging the ball so much that it was difficult to control. However it was Goody who created the chances. A skier brought the call from cymbals Fletcher behind the stumps, but it was not to be. Club Debutant Jamie Jeffcock, who with fellow newcomer Chris Hammond had looked very sharp in the field, spilt a tricky, swirling catch at Extra-Cover. Finally Steve Smith showed how it was done, pouching another skier at Mid-On. It was too late, though, and despite a final, accurate burst from Tyler Armiger, Cranbourne ran out winners by 9 wickets.

Man of the Match: S. Smith