Despite all the rain, the RCC square looked pretty good (thanks to Mods and Chad Potter for their efforts there), but certainly a track you wanted to bowl on first to exploit any moisture. Fuchsy lost the toss and the Esher skipper had a similar thought so inserted RCC. Sean Farrell and Scott Costello gave RCC a very solid start with Scott in particular playing brilliantly and demonstrating what must be the best cover drive in the league. Stick Mowatt started cautiously, but soon found his form and at the drinks interval, RCC were well placed at 110 for 2. However, then came Esher’s South African pro who had the best slower ball many of us have ever seen and he single-handedly removed our middle-order and from a very good position, RCC were bowled out for 140 in 44 overs.
After an expensive tea provided by the Telegraph (the skipper had forgotten to arrange one), RCC decided to start with the old ball and Tom Easton and Paul Fuchs were putting the Esher batsmen under pressure with some very tight bowling. After 25 overs, Esher were only 50 for 2, still another 90 to get. A talking to by their skipper obviously did the trick as after the drinks interval, the batsmen came out flying and upped the scoring. Some great bowling by Sam Stevens and 2 fine catches by Scott Costelloe behind the stumps, then had them slightly on the backfoot, but another good partnership by the 2 Esher batsmen had the game wrapped up in the 45th over.
We were 40 runs short, but RCC did put up a strong fight and were good with the ball and in the field. Also, we spent most of our time in the field with 10 men as one of the lads had to head home for a domestic emergency. We definitely played better than just 3 points would suggest, but we just need to score a few more runs.
Man of the match: Scott Costello
(report by Paul Fuchs)