It's one of the great challenges of Division 13 that our 5th XI can encounter another club's Firsts.  In damp, grey conditions, Halverstown chose to bat.  Our opening bowlers, Sarvjeet Singh and Suhaib Naseem kept things tight and were unlucky not to make a breakthrough.  The tidy bowling continued, but the batsmen began to get the upper hand and as they prospered, we grew lethargic in the field.  Bala Vasudevan and Danny O'Brien took a wicket each and Mark Deacon's quick reactions secured a run out.  

The imposing target of 250 somehow released the mental shackles from our batsmen.  Graeme Tarbox (27) and Brian Thornes (17) were positive from the start, but the real impetus came from a masterful 63 from Elliot Manks.  When Bala (45) joined Elliot, the double-digit run rate looked manageable.  Unfortunately, both fell within a couple of overs, and a spirited eight-wicket partnership between Sarvjeet (28*)and Suhaib (22*) left us just 19 runs adrift.  It was by some measure our highest total of the season

So, even in defeat, we seemed to gain in stature as a team.  A special mention must go to thirteen-year-old Charlie Askew, who bowled an excellent four-over spell and whose courage and athleticism were an inspiration in the field.

Thanks to Vicki Deacon who took up the scoring in the hectic final overs.