4th XI Lose to Potten End

The 4s travelled to the picturesque and secluded Potten End ground with both sides unbeaten. Potten End won the toss and decided to bat. Joe and Callum opened the bowling and once Joe had located his line he bowled Gower with a yorker which crashed into middle stump. The number 3 looked to be positive and took the attack to the bowlers with the other opener batting steadily. As the score passed 50 P Raeburn came down the pitch and Callum turned one past his outside edge and the keeper had the bails off in a flash. With the score on 73 the other opener followed LBW to Yash.

The 4th wicket partnership was the match deciding period as D Raeburn and Hawkridge batted for 90 minutes. Ken rotated the bowlers but a breakthrough was elusive. Raeburn was largely tied down and made a steady 17 whilst Hawkridge was more expansive respecting the good ball but pummelling anything off line to the boundary. The partnership was eventually broken when Rushil induced Raeburn to try and hit the ball over Neil at mid- off, he failed and Neil held on. Raeburn probably thought this was a safe shot having seen Neil fail to lay a hand on a dolly during the 3rd wicket partnership. The 4th wicket fell on 160 and something of a collapse followed as Potten End lost their final 7 wickets for 14 runs. Hawkridge took on the returning Callum and was caught by Ronak at mid off. Prasanth then got the reward his earlier spell deserved as he picked up 3 wickets including a superb diving catch by Tony at gully. Tony’s catch capped a good day in the field as he bowled nicely and was unlucky not to pick up any wickets. The batsmen struggled to get him away during his 7 over spell. Callum also picked up a third wicket as Prasanth eventually held on a square leg at the 4th attempt to a simple chance. The innings was wrapped up as Joe comprehensively bowled the number 10.

The batting performance is hard to write about although it is fair to say that the bowling was 2 or 3 notches above anything that the 4s have seen in recent seasons. Tony Dyde in particular bowled an immaculate line and length and he was backed up by his opening bowling partner. Prasanth and Rushil had nothing to hit. With the score on 7 after 10 overs both decided that they need to manufacture scoring shots and as a consequence got themselves out. The unluckiest batsman was undoubtedly Yash who confidently struck the ball for what would have been a boundary but for the short cover instinctively putting up a hand and finding the ball in it. The lower order tried a few shots but ultimately the side was all out for 55 with extras comfortably the top score.

Potten End will be promoted based on this performance. The 4s are in with a chance of grabbing the other promotion spot if they bowl like they did today. The batting however needs some serious improvement.