Hatch End Win In Thrilling Contest

On what was percieved by the forecasts to be a wash out, Hatch End travelled to Park Road, for a game that the 4s really shouldnt of lost.

Ray and Phil strode out to the middle in miserable conditions and began the afternoons work, Ray immediately striking boundaries off the loose balls, he made a quick 15 but dragged on as the bowler finally hit a length. Prasanth joined Phil at the crease although Phils stay was short lived and he was soon back to the pavillion with 2 to his name. Neil R joined Prasanth and the pair looked to play shots and put pressure on the Hatch End captain. Neil forcing prasanth to run 2s and 3s where possible, some well timed drives and hook shots to the loose balls aided the run rate. Unfortunately Neils stay ended tamely as he top edged and was caught for 15. The inform Nassar joined Prasanth and began with a 6. These two put on a 50 partnership and Prasanth brought up his 50. A class knock from P.

Prasanth and Nassar both lost their wickets at a similar time, this meant youngsters Keshav and Dylan had some work to do, Dylan did not manage this as his leg stump was ripped out the ground. Ken joined Keshav and both looked to keep runs flowing, Keshav striking a few boundarys and pushing Ken to run 2s. This saw the total creep towards 180. Keshav eventually was caught and allowed Jack to come in smash a 6 and get the 4s to 187-7.

Nassar and Jack opened the bowling, both keeping it steady and run rate below 5, however no wickets were found in the first 10 overs, as the hatch end openers looked solid in defence. Prasanth and Neil came on 1st and 2nd change, the Hatch end openers still looked comfortable and were keeping along the run rate required, until Prasanth took a caught and bowled and really gave the 4s a fighting chance. He then clean bowled the no3 for a golden duck with a boomeranging inswinger knocking middle out. Neil bowled good line and length and didnt allow the Hatch End batsman to get away with much. Prasanth then finished his spell by picking up his 3rd wicket an easy grab for Callum at short cover.

Keshav and Callum were next into the attack, some good but loose deliveries which allowed the Hatch End batsman to settle down and really go after the target. 98 needed from 12 overs. Callum bowled the opening batsman with a rank delivery, whilst at the other end Keshav started to find his length. Runs were starting to flow now, and Rickys fielding really let them down dropping numerous catches which would of stemmed the flow of runs and would of kept Hatch End at bay. Amongst the Abysmal fielding Callum picking up his 2nd with an LBW. But this was not enough as Callum and Keshav were to expensive amongst the poor fielding.

Hatch End now needing 20 off 2, the 4s still felt a good over from Nass would solve the issue, but the Hatch End batsman just threw there hands at it, bottom edge for 4 and a top edge for 6, Nass over going for 15. Leaving Jack to defend 6 off 6, A wide, a single and a boundary sealed the deal for Hatch End who snatched Victory from jaws of defeat.

A lesson for the 4s dropped catches, lack of energy and intensity cost them dearly and wasted the Immaculate batting performance. We go again next week in the penultimate league game of the 2021 season.