Hatch End become Block End for bore draw

Things couldn't have got off to a worse start, with Ricky asked to bat on a wet, green wicket, and sure enough Blackwell was out first ball to put Ricky on 1-1. However what then transpired was an inspirational partnership of 140 between Maz Shah (68) and Kasser Abbass (64). This was Kasser's first half-century for the club and of course his best for the club. Maz played for most of the innings with a runner,, so just took to slapping the ball straight wherever possible. When both of them departed in the space of an over, Jez Riddleston took up the cudgel and batted superbly for a well crafted 43 not out. He was joined at various times by different batsmen, putting on 40 with Raz (15) and 29 with Waheed. Jez finished on 43 not out, the declaration coming with 3 overs still left. However the 43 he scored was also a club best for him, but it wasn't possible to bat on for the last 3 overs for him to get a 50.

An overall score of 259 seemed plenty in the Bank and the general consensus was that 50 overs might be needed on what was now a drying track.

After Vora went for 15, the next Hatch End batsmen dug in and hit the 4 ball of every over for...well 4 ! After 20 overs they were up with the rate and the next batsman used up a number of lives before getting cleverly caught in front of all 3 for a plumb LBW by Ronesh for 50,. The next 6 overs contained 4 maidens as the Hatch End team seemed content on a draw. Introducing some pace-off, Raz and Ronesh bowled in tandem for 25 overs taking a combined 4 for 99. But skipper Andy Williams played as straight as you can and held out for 227/6 and a share of the spoils.

As befits the fact that only one team ended up trying to win the game, Ricky gained 16 points whilst Elstree / Hatch End gained 7 points. Unlike Frogmore, Hatch End just were not willing to give chase through fear of losing. Which is of course, why this format exists.

Ricky's walking wounded, fasters and old-timers now head on to Baldock and a game that suddenly becomes much more vital, if promotion is to be re-attained. And still hope that a bit of luck might be around the corner.