1st XI vs Neo CC, 1st XI

For only the second time this season, the 1's have managed three league wins in a row as the push for promotion intensifies. A conclusive win at home kept the pressure on leaders Oakfield Parkonians, whilst the teams below us begin to falter.

Skipper Jamie Walton won the toss and decided to bat, knowing a decent score on the board would put pressure on their batsmen, who are known to freely swing their bats. Losing opener Theo Robinson early was an unexpected blow, nicking a ball to the keeper at the start of the seventh over with the score on 32. Jamie and Sarthak Kohli then put on 73 for the second wicket, during which the captain passed 50 for the second time in three innings ( 4 fours, 1 six). Tom Arnold hit 31 from 40 balls before he was bowled by a slower ball. He had a partnership of 77 with Sarthak, who reached his 50 in 71 balls (6 fours) during their spell together. Nathan Woods tried to continue the pace but skied one to mid-off. Jack Newton hit a quickfire 27 from 17 balls, whilst Will Howard's visit was a brief one.

Sarthak got to his second century of the season in the 47th over (10 fours, 1 six) before falling in the next over. George Ballington and Sam Bear came and went, with Sam managing to damage a windscreen in the process! A challenging score of 287-9 would be a daunting score for most teams, and so it was to prove.

Sam waited till his second over before taking the first wicket, with the score on 12. It then became the Ollie Castell show as he proceeded to take the next SEVEN wickets in an eight-over spell. After conceding two boundaries in his first over, his seven wickets came in a 32-ball demolition of the visitors which left them reeling on 58-8. His fifth wicket came at the end of the fifth over, having given away only 13 runs at that stage. For them, it was a case of "hit-out" or " get-out" as they desperately tried to gain some respectability. George took a wicket with his first ball and Dan Green took the final wicket, to leave Neo all out for 107 after a mere 26 overs feeling more than sorry for themselves.

We stay at home for our penultimate game of the season, with Old Brentwoods being the visitors. Results next week could see us clinch promotion, but our destiny is in our own hands. Could it be a late night in seven days time?