All good runs come to an end

One hit in it ... one big yahoo ... but to be 5 runs apart, with 20 wickets falling for 289 runs, so close but definitely no cigar.

The 3s had a strong side again; even if Charlie had been catapulted into the 1s, and Ahsan was unavailable, we had great replacements in Mitesh and Farhan, so hopes were high on a day when rain was all around and the pitch was, well, interesting.

Early wickets was the mantra, early wickets, and Steve so nearly struck early when an off-cutter flew a bit, catching everyone by surprise, the batter who nicked it and Arjun and Neil who were not used to seeing the senior seamer get bounce like that! Not to be denied early wickets soon followed with the timbers being rattled twice in diverse ways and nos. 2 and 3 were hors de combat. Rudy's quick opening spell did not bring the rewards it deserved but X soon picked up the persevering other opener, a fine catch by Farhan.

The Park batsmen then decided on a 'hit out before you get out' strategy with varying degrees of success - no. 4 found the boundary a few times, and found the space beyond it once but perished, nicked off by Neil, immediately after - his 37 was to prove the highest score of the match. Neil found two nicks but by now Arjun had become the first casualty of the pitch, hit in the chin when standing up to X. Obviously in pain, he had to relinquish the gloves to Gregg, who took said nicks, and helmets for all batsmen and keepers standing up became the rule of the day.

Farhan took another fine catch, as did Neil, as the 3-man spin team got to work. Nicky P bagged two more with his outrageous turn, Krunal one, though the Park tail wagged vigorously by chancing their arms. A second spell from Rudy saw a couple of very big LB shouts, not given, before Steve pinned no.11 in front to end the nonsense. 147 it was, a maximum?

Mits and X took guard against some lively seam bowling, and while X took a couple of blows (helmet, box) we looked to be digging in and preserving wickets. Then, despite Bob having to get a second opinion, Mits was out caught behind, and X bowled by a grubber (when most balls had flown shoulder-high). So it was hard work, and Farhan booked in for a long one, with some fab straight drives, and Neil also relished the seam challenge after recent trials by spin.

However the irregular bounce did for both (Farhan 31, Neil 19) and it was left largely to Gregg to see us home. He duly dug in but the change bowlers made inroads, Smit nicking off, Krunal spooning one to cover, and Arjun despite being in no shape to bat after his earlier knock, gave it a go. From 102-4 we were then rocked back to 131-7, Gregg making 28: only 17 needed, but with the lower order not having much time in the middle lately, confidence was ebbing away. Rudy did remind us of his prowess with some wristy flicks, and he and Steve ran some sharp ones (too sharp for the ol' fella's hamstrings!), though in an attempt to belt boundaries he too fell, bowled. One more wristy flick teased us, as it seemed to be flying out of reach of square leg, but a well-timed leap saw the ball nestle safely, and that was that.

To lose to a good side, on a dodgy deck, is no disgrace - they were a very decent bunch of guys who shared our concerns about the pitch. But it's a defeat, in our quest for promotion we have to get back to winning ways pronto at Pirton!