Ives batted first on a decidedly shaggy pitch, with Bob Collins and Philip K demonstrating exquisite timing, power batting and consummate ease in putting on 70 for the opening wicket…the opposition were crying out Nero’s legion to descend and lay waste to the ground to put them out of their misery, such was the command of the openers. A fast start was the ground for the fear and mayhem that derailed North Weald’s bowling; 24 runs were smote in the first two overs before some semblance of line and length was experimented with by the bowlers…. There was talk, given the lack of wicket taking deliveries, of the openers remaining unbeaten throughout the innings…the aforementioned tightening of the bowling slowed the scoring rate, as the game ebbed for a few overs until the unthinkable happened…a wicket fell! As ever, one wicket changed the complexion of the game as Bob’s dismissal caused a degree of consternation in all the other batters, which was exacerbated by the fall of Phil (stumped for a majestic 58). 70 without loss descended to 115 for 6 with single figure scores the order of the day. A sheen was put on the innings thanks to two sumptuous boundaries from Will Brooks as he was only the third batter to get into double figures.
In reply, North Weald never really got going – another excellent bowling performance that gave very little away, coupled with a lack of endeavour meant the asking rate climbed alarmingly and nothing was easy to score off. Venky bowled excellently with 1-17 off 7, Prasad continued his miserly season with 1-12 from 7 and Saqib 1-19 off 7 throttled the life from them. 112-4 was all North Weald could muster, leaving Ivanhoe the deserved winners. Hats off to all from a great effort.
Author: Hansi B