A hot day started well and continued to improve at Gypsy corner today. After winning the toss our opposition skipper selected to bat. The track was well prepared and looked like it could be comfortable to bat on. Although the first half of my previous statement proved correct for us, Cockfosters found it anything but comfortable batting thanks to excellent bowling and fielding performances throughout the team. Wickets for Luke Sicheri-Peel ( 3-13) Farakh Raz ( 2-15 ) Richard Wells ( 2-9 ) Rob Dunn ( 1-14 ) plus 2 run outs restricted our opposition to just 92 all out of just 36 overs.

Some of our fielding today, especially our ground fielding and catching was first rate. Early on we dismissed their dangerous opener with some slick fielding from Richard Wells and a great take and swift run out finished off by Henry Jonscher. Saq Parker then took things up a notch taking what can only be described as a ridiculous diving one handed catch at gully from a full blown late cut. The ball was travelling and the catch was one of the best takes I've certainly ever seen at the club. I was fortunate enough to take a slip catch today too that on any other day would be considered excellent.... Saq's catch made mine look like a slow motion pop up !

We took wickets regularly and gave Cockfosters very little really making them earn their 92 runs. After a fantastic tea we then went into bat focused on making short work of a relatively low total. Kirit Shah and Andy Rimmer opened the batting and started to eat into Cockfosters total. Andy Rimmer, making his debut for the club looked solid but got a very good ball and we'd lost our first wicket whilst in the 20's. Henry Jonscher went in at No 3 and looked very comfortable playing some lovely shots and looking like he was getting himself in. Unfortunately Henry was also picked off by the same bowler and we were 2 down and in the late 30's. Conor Thompson who batted well at Bentley Heath last week went in at No 4 but was trapped LBW, again by the same opening bowler. We were suddenly 3 wickets down and in the 40's so some calm and sensible batting was needed just to quieten down the opposition. Saq Parker went in at No 5 and with Kirit Shah, who was playing very sensibly and very well, moved us through into the 60's with some great shots and good running. From here the result was never in doubt as our batsman's confidence increased and we reached our target total very shortly afterwards of just 24.5 overs. ( Kirit Shah 39* ) ( Saq Parker 37* )

Today's win places us on 2nd in the table just 20 points behind Northwood III. Next week we are away to Kings Langley.

Written by Rob Jones