Knebworth accept our sporting gesture

Knebworth have made a habit of leaving Cricketfield Lane with the points over the past few seasons and this year was no different as we handed them victory on a plate. Without taking anything away from our visitors, who for the second successive season gave us a lesson in doing the basics well, we found ourselves losing a match that was there for the taking.

I'll keep it brief. With the bat, despite only losing a single wicket, we only managed to scrape to 130 on an excellent wicket and fast outfield. Alex Portas hit a rapid, commanding half-century but the rest of our innings was frustrating, as we scored only 29 runs from the last six overs with nine wickets in hand. With the field spread, we would have scored 36 if we'd just played tip and run. Maybe we should have! This saw us post a total which was at least 15 short of par for our side against a weaker than usual Knebworth attack.

In the field, we bowled too short, fielded poorly and failed to use our get of jail free card when the visitors found themselves needing 40 from the last five overs with their best two batsmen back in the pavilion.

The boys have set high standards over the last few seasons and fell well short of those standards on this particular night. Knebworth's team played consistently throughout and deserved the win, but they must wonder quite how we do so well in our other games as we are always poor against them. Never mind, it can only go one way from here...