Always going to be difficult as Blackheath are top and one of the tougher sides in an already tough league.

The home side one the toss and batted. Rowey struck early again and revitalised Smudger was back to some form picking up an early wicket for not many runs.

Bats 2 and 4 looked comfortable on a carpet like wicket which was quite dead and slow, making use of the fast and very bumpy outfield. For fielding this is the sort of day you needed to get right behind the ball, be prepared to wear one, and stop the ball first, whilst being as attacking to it as you dare. There were more loose deliverys than normal with the bowling which let them off the hook at times but when bats 2 and 4 went to go for it in the last 10-15 overs the wickets tumbled after being 181 for 2, AA scooped 4, Smudger 2 and Rowey 1, Blackheath only ended up with 223 for 7, which was disappointing for them as they must have been thinking a 250 plus score. A very good effort in the field in very difficult conditions (outfield wise)

In reply, we started ok, but then if you look back I have said that in all the match reports (There must be something in that, a pattern is forming!) but the loss of 3 quick successive wickets made it more difficult than it should have been as although we were comfortably up with the run rate and we have no problems with our batting line up, wickets in hand is essential. A fine knock of 57 by Craig proved it could be done with carefull watching, concentration, application and nothing rash.  The wickets did keep falling, Hobo and Rowey stayed together for about 7 overs, Hobo peppered by short balls before finally nicking one to the keeper (off his pad actually) and Matt Davey showed he is in no way out of place at this level batting well with Rowey for another 5 or 6 overs. Rowey finally went for a good 30 with 5 balls to spare, and the rest was easily blocked out, we finished on 180 for 9.

A losing draw, but a lot can be taken from it, ok the bowling wasn’t our best this week, no run outs, a dropped catch, sometimes a bit lack lustre in the field, but the circumstances were extreme in that the outfield was a tricky customer to deal with, fast and very very uneven which made it very difficult to attack the ball without the fear of it hopping over your hands or any part of your body the you could get in the way and being brave/determind to get something behind it knowing full well you could end up with a fat lip, the 3 youngsters again showed that they are more than capable to cope with this league’s pressures and our grit & stickability to keep going whatever.

The Mote next week which again will be tough but I know we can be confident in what we do will be of our best and to keep grinding away.