Penn Street vs Penn and Tyler's Green

Penn Street 178-10 (C. Fletcher 81; C. Smith 3-5, F. Spencer 3-15) beaten by P&TG 184-3 (D. Lewis 60; T. Armiger 2-29) by 7 wickets

With the lads keen to get back to winning ways after a run of 3 defeats, we welcomed Penn & Tylers Green to the "Unofficial" Home Of Cricket.

Batting first, we knew it was vital to stick a total on the board approaching 200 to have any chance against an always solid Tylers Green line-up.

Things didn't start well as Juppy departed early on and Matt & Rob (sporting a now impressive scar from his Terry Butcher moment in the season opener) followed soon after without making much of an impression on the scoreboard.

It was left to Banny, Fletch and Reece to save us with 3 vital knocks. In truth, both Banny & Reece played excellent supporting roles to Captain Fletch's lynchpin innings! A true captain's knock, Fletch was patient when required yet swift to take advantage of any scoring opportunities that arose. In one over, late in the innings, Fletch seized control as wickets tumbled at the other end and the tail became exposed. He struck 3 huge sixes and two fours to smash 26 vital runs. Sadly, he was caught in the deep for 81 soon after when a richly deserved ton was in sight. This proved to be the stalling point in the Penn Street innings - with 5 overs left, only a further 2 runs were added as the tailenders battled in vain against the Tylers attack that sensed it had stolen back the momentum.

We ended on 178 - a respectable total which at one point had promised more.

In defence of our total, we started well enough - Reece and Goody keeping a tight line. But Penn & Tylers gathered runs at a fair rate and very soon were looking well set with all wickets intact.

When the breakthrough did come, the game had largely got away from us and although the skipper and VC Banny toiled away without reward and the ever-improving Mickey "Bonners" Sanford bowling well also, Penn & Tylers eased to victory with several overs to spare. One consolation was Tyler Armiger's late burst that bagged him two deserved wickets - an outside bet for the bowling cup??!! ... Watch out Goody!!

An enjoyable game then against a club we always enjoy playing.

In the words of Andrew Strauss - "Lots of positives to take from the game", but sadly not the result!!