Penn Street vs Roxbourne

Penn Street 132-9 (P. Jupp 34; Lawson 4-15) beaten by Roxbourne 135-1 (P. Read 66; A. Crofts 1-30) by 9 wickets

In blustery, near hurricane conditions, a brave but depleated penn street team arrived at Bushey sports centre to take on mighty Roxbourne.

Put in to bat on a damp pitch in overcast conditions, Penn Street made a brave fist of it with two strong early partnerships before wickets began to fall. Peter Jupp (34) and Chris Fletcher (25) making particular contributions. The departure of Juppy brought Jack Mendy to the crease, keen to break in his new spikes.

What followed was a flurry of boundaries as Jacko recorded his highest score for Penn Street seniors* of 23 including a monsterous lofted dive for six over a very deep long on, his first for Penn street seniors. The fall of Jacko brought together Tyler Armager (5) and Ryan Greenstreet (8*) for a useful last wicket stand that took the innings into the 40th

Over and brought the total up to 134.

Unfortunately this total was never going to be enough against a strong Roxbourne batting line up and with only 10 in the field. Fletch, Jacko and Micky Sanford all bowled well but went unrewarded as edges regularly flew just out of reach and runs flowed past despairing fielders. Eventually Andrew Crofts broke the partnership by taking a sharp catch of his own bowling but it proved to be a false dawn, with the roxbourne batsmen soon knocking off the remainder required and succumbing Penn Street to a 9 wicket defeat.

The rematch is on the 20th September at the Squirrel. An opportunity for revenge?

*Since overshadowed by 56 against Penn and Tylers Green [off 42 balls don't you know?]