Youth policy pays dividends

Following the withdrawal of the planned opposition, willing and entirely pleasant opponents Hook and Southborough were welcomed to the heath. H&S won the toss and, with some team members delayed opted to bat.

An RCC team best described as youthful and sprightly, took to the field with Hugh Gerlach and Tom Dillon opening the bowling. The damp pitch was difficult for the batsmen and D&H batsmen dug in, protecting their wickets. 10 overs gone, 17/0 on the board, Fahad and S Broad took over leading to 62/0 at drinks.

After drinks, with H&S looking to crank up the run rate, a run out resulted! Excellent work by Fahad and Dhilhan to crack the threatening partnership. As H&S continued to chase the runs, the wickets fell too - the result: 150/6 off 40. Was that defendable on a drying pitch?

RCC's batting was exciting and attacking, making short work of anything off a length. Stand-out performances by Harry "The Better" Purnell and Will Barnett (who will surely soon be receiving a numbered RCC baggy) took RCC close to the line. And then a thunderclap of a finish from Ejaz, who's been threatening something big for a while. Ejaz took a fancy to one H&S bowler hitting 19 off 5 balls, including a 6 that would make David Boreham blush.

Player of the match: such a good all-round performance it's hard to choose just one player - marvellous effort, that!