SCCC 206 all out (Matt Root 71, Joe Root 41, Stewie and Dicko 20 odd, Lol Faraz 5 fer) Oughtibridge 208-9 (Younis 94*, Number 10 got 61, Hickman 4-24, Dicko and Filth 2 fer each)After winning their last 3 consecutive games, the 2nds travelled to Oughtbridge on Saturday in the hope of continuing their good run. Stewie won the toss, and opted to bat on a wicket that has seen a lot of runs scored on it this season. Moyser and Joe opened the innings, and we were soon in trouble as Moyser was bowled by Lol Faraz. Matt Root came to the crease, and started shakily, playing and missing and being dropped at gully. Root jnr came down the pitch and told him where he was going wrong, and the words of advice worked as Matt began batting with more ease. We were going along very nicely at 90 odd for 1, until Joe came back for a second run and looked well out. However, from closer range, it appeared the wicketkeeper dislodged the bails before the ball got there; either way he was out. Stewie, on return to his former club, came in and batted well from the start. He scored freely, looked in great nick until the returning Lol bowled him one that lept off a length and hit Stewie high on the bat, caught at gulley. Andy Simpson, Riaz and Filth all came and went quickly and we went from 130-2, to 150-6. Not good. Dicko and Batts batted well, and took the score past 200. However, they both departed in quick succession, and with T suffering the same fate as last week (bowled for 0), we were all out in the 46th over. A good start again, given away by another middle order collapse.

Pleasurable tea.

Filfth and T opened the bowling, with the former taking two early wickets to put them 15-2. They were soon replaced by Bully and Dicko who bowled well in tandem, keeping the scoring down to a minimum and taking wickets in the process (4 for Bully and 2 for Dicko). At 78-8, you would have thought the game was won, and unfortunately we too thought that and took the foot off the pedal somewhat. Their number 10 grew in confidence, and with Jonny Younis batting at the other end and looking every bit as good as his runs scored for the season suggests, we were under pressure. Fielding became a little shoddy, and they got themselves into a position where they could win the game. Stewie brought Joe Root on and he took the wicket of number 10 in his first over. However, the delight was soon over as Lol Faraz hit a boundary and took the pressure off them so much, and it was left to Jonny to win the game for them with a winning cover drive for 4, with 2 and a bit overs to go.

Overall, this was a very difficult defeat to take given the circumstances of what was just described. In conclusion, we were 50 runs short, brought on by the middle order collapse and also guilty of complacency. We thought the game was won, when indeed it proved to be far from it. To ensure the season finishes on a high, we need to get back to winning ways next Saturday against Norton Oakes, Riaz s last game before he flies back to SA.