Ten men avenge Knebworth loss

On an evening when the threat of rain was never far away, and with a strong wind buffeting the players throughout, we put together an excellent performance to see off one of our group rivals.

With only 10 players, and with Coby Miles' back injury making him a passenger, we faced a Knebworth side significantly stronger than when we had faced them in our opening game of the season. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Archie Stephens and Gus Laws-Mather made a swift start as skipper Alec Chappell tried to plug the gaps left by our missing fielder. It took a peach of a delivery from Adam Crowther to make the breakthrough as Stephens was clean bowled for 10, but with the dangerous Harry Holman joining Gus at the crease we needed to strike again quickly. Alex Portas did the trick by bowling Gus for 24; a key wicket as it forced Knebworth to bat more cautiously.

Ben Warman's usual eclectic mix of no balls, wides and beautifully flighted off-breaks soon proved too much for Louis Heap, who was bowled playing half forward, and when Sam Gardner snared Matt Inman thanks to Alec's good low catch at point, the hosts were 57-4. However, Liam, Knebworth's new recruit from St Albans joined Holman and the pair threathened to post a score of 130+. Thankfully, a tight spell from Alec put the brakes on and Stephen Walsh weighed in with a crucial wicket at just the right time.

Matt Pike returned to bowl Holman for a well made 30, before Alec and Sam made sure the tail didn't wag, Alec picking up the final wicket. Behind the stumps, Adam Bassingthwaighte's excellent keeping performance was matched by our fielding, and there was even time for a moment of comedy as Adam Crowther attempted to take a steepling catch with his protective box before remembering too late that he wasn't wearing one.

A total of 119 didn't look enough on a decent track, but Knebworth have a good bowling attack and the new arrival from St Albans proved a handy opening bowler. Adams Bass and Crowther started cautiously and Basso endured a rare failure as he was dismissed for 9. However, Alex Portas soon hit his stride and he and Adam Crowther ran well and worked the ball around comfortably. Adam missed a full toss from Gus to fall for 15, but Matt Pike strode into bat and before long it was clear that unless Knebworth could break the partnership the game would be over. Alex hit a huge six while Matt scored effortlessly at better than a run a ball. After a 50 partnership it was a surprise to see Alex caught for 29 from 22 balls, but in tandem with Alec, Matt saw us home with nine balls and six wickets to spare. His 36 not out came from 30 balls, and he and Alex faced only 9 dot balls between them.

After a couple of embarrassing defeats at Knebworth's hands it was about time we showed them that we can play, and they played their part in what was a high quality game of cricket.

If we can play at this level against the other strong sides we face we should stand a chance of making it through our group and into the latter stages to defend our title.