With OD Cuaco already crowned league champions and we already having secured promotion, the game at OW’s had nothing riding on it except a gut full of pride and to ensure we went out with a bang. Ex Blues sports ground provided the venue and Captain for the day, Shelvers was ready to lead his merry band to another victory. The skipper, still injured, was there to do the scoring whilst Geoff Burton umpired.
OW’s won the toss and elected to bat. Ollie Smith and Shelvers opened the bowling, Mike volunteering for the up the hill end. 9-1 and Shelvers struck bringing a good catch from Max Hallett. Very soon after Ollie bowled their other opener and 16-2 was the start required. Their number 3 bat dug in and once he got going put on a useful 23 runs. The introduction of spin at both ends put a stop to this and Max removed number 4 with a good catch at backward square by Viraj. Shrikant followed soon removing their “run machine” to a good catch from Bala Balakrishnan. Max with his next delivery took another supported by “safe hands” Howard who took another good catch. Max, now on a hat trick for the second time in the season, nearly got his man as the ball fizzed off the edge but along the ground! Shrikant and Jack Bleksley took another wicket a piece but the number 7 who had looked like a walking wicket was now opening up his shoulders and began to find the boundary a little too often. He stuck around but the introduction of Callum Deppe bowling up the hill brought an end to the OW’s innings with a double of clean bowled and an absolute plumb LBW. Number 7 remained in tact on 38 not out. The total of 113 should have been an easy target but you never know.
Following a plentiful tea the chase was on. Neil Cleave opened with Joe and a few quick boundaries got us off to a good start but on 10, Neil found the crafty Paul Jenkins bowling what it is – sneaky and he was bowled. Joe meanwhile, was getting his head down and hitting some good shots trying to avoid the aerial route which is so tempting with two short boundaries. Bala joined Joe and defended well picking up singles and rotating the strike allowing Joe to express himself. Boundary followed boundary and he was now on his way to another 50 hopefully. Great support from Bala got him past that target with ease. Bala then perished following a pretty good shot backward of square which was well caught. Viraj came to the crease and pushed the ball around and Joe now on 68 looked like he would finish it off only to get his pads in the way of a snorter from their captain which almost went subterranean. You can’t avoid these deliveries but nevertheless, a great innings from Joe to round off what had been a great season for him personally. Viraj and Callum saw it home and another 20 points in the bag. Missing out by 10 points to OD Cuaco was probably a fair reflection of the season, they having won one more game than us.
Thanks to everyone that has played for the 6th XI this season. I for one have enjoyed the cricket, your sincere efforts on the field of play and your company. Big thanks also to Sarah B and the tea ladies of Bexley CC for looking after us at Loring Hall………what a lovely venue for lower XI cricket.

Steve Griggs