A Good Work Out

Opening bowlers Paul Orton and Toby Seagrave early overs were interrupted by stoppages for rain and sleet with the new ball very quickly becoming like a bar of soap. With the ball difficult to control, it was unsurprising that the opening wicket was a run out. Youngster Harry Grinham, chased a drive into the outfield, his throw was relayed by Adam Goldberg and Shakoor was run out.

Grinham was soon into the attack to bowl his leg breaks, joining Australian Nick Grant in our search for wickets. Grant playing cricket in a sweater for the first time bowled a spell which would on other days delivered in more than the two wickets that he picked up.

The four spells off the field for rain and sleet dampened our spirits and gave our hosts the chance to regroup and help them post a big total. Jake Seagrave (pictured) who has had an excellent start of the season, bowled a brilliant spell at the end of the innings picking up three wickets as Leverstock Green closed on 188-7 from 40 overs.

With conditions improving for bowling, our task of chasing down the total was a big one. Openers Robbie Grout and James Wheeler faced a challenging opening spell from the Leverstock Green. Wheeler was dismissed with the score on 21 when he was caught at third man from a top edge, he was the first but not the last of our batsman dismissed by a top edge. Newcomer Goldberg joined the resurgent Grout at the wicket as the hosts bowlers continued to excel. Grout, how hadn't picked a bat up since last summer looked in excellent touch through the offside off both the front and back foot.

The match turned in the 15th over when we slipped from 50-1 to 57-6 in the space of three overs. The wicket was increasingly difficult to bat on, but with the situation difficult, Jake Seagrave responded and counter attacked to give the scorecard some receptivity. With shots all around the ground, Seagrave's 35 put our total to a respectable 119 before we were finally bowled out.