There was a nervous sense of anticipation in the air as we approached the 12pm meet time on Saturday morning, with memories of the previous week’s poor performance still freshly etched in the memory of some. However, conditions were different this week, the sun was out, it was hot and given we were playing Wallington who sat just 4 points behind us in the table, we were due to engage in a proper game of cricket at the Heath. Both teams started flexing their muscles through particularly energetic warms ups – probably too energetic given the 30-degree heat, but it looked good.

Once I had become bored of showing Phil how to give high catches and Dharms how to catch a ball, I decided to toss. This pre match ritual has become increasingly stressful in recent weeks given my streak of 8 losses on the bounce. With thoughts of once again facing a disgruntled Sticky and Phil very much at the forefront of my mind, I flicked the club’s lucky £1 coin, the call was heads, it was tails. I had won, we were bowling. This was my sole contribution to the day.

After a mad panic to get Tami’s bag out of the clubhouse and a failed attempt to get a team photo, Aqib and Mo took the new ball. The former bowled sublimely from the clubhouse end, steaming in and bowling accurately with a hint of seam movement, frequently beating the edge and pinning the openers on the crease. It was, however, the ever-reliable Mo who made the breakthrough, after a few slightly wayward overs he settled into his rhythm and found the outside edge. Phil took a nonchalant worldy at 1st slip, seemingly reacting late, but plucking the ball low with his right hand. This was to set the tone for the day. Aqib, continued to cause problems bowling maiden after maiden (6 in a row in fact), which coupled with some strong fielding put Wallington under immense pressure. Aqib then struck twice in quick succession, both times snagging batsmen looking for a release shot. Kyle clasped both clinically and the Roes were well and truly on top.

With very attacking fields and men all around the bat (credit to Jack who spent 40 overs under the lid at short leg), Saj and Tami continued to apply pressure and ensure no easy runs came about, the batsmen remained well and truly under the cosh. Saj continued to take wickets at regular intervals, with Tami and Sticky snaffling sharp chances along the way, leaving him with figures of 4-22. Tami and Aqib then pinched late wickets as Wallington limped up to a final score of 116-9 of their 50 overs. Aqib going for 8 off his return over, partly due to an overthrow of his own doing and the number 11 hitting a 6 first ball! Amazingly this only took his figures to 3-9 off 8 overs. Very well bowled! Interestingly, had Wallington batted second it may have proved challenging to take all 10 wickets as they seemed fairly well oiled in keeping the good balls out. Good toss to win!

After a tea spent cowering in the shadows as the relentless heat battered down on us, we set about our task well. Sticky and Phil played some nice shots before Stick was unfortunate to stumped down legside off the keeper’s pads. Tami then strode to the crease and played some elegant strokes before trying to pull one that didn’t bounce. Saj then hit some powerful shots and scared Phil into thinking there wouldn’t be time to get to his half century before reaching the required total. He then entered 5th gear, a gear that you rarely see the long-term 1st XI opener break into. Several boundaries followed with Phil taking a particular liking to the Wallington spinner. He then brought up his 50 just before the end of the game with some scintillating shots, ending on 53* and the team ending on 119-2 off 22.1 overs.

A comfortable win in the end, which affords us a 24 point gap at the top of the table and 30 points ahead of 3rd placed Mitcham. This could prove to be an important difference with several difficult games to play this season.