The sun was shining on a hot, humid Sunday morning.
Captain Jonah Charlesworth stepped and won the toss and elected to bowl first. Jonah insisting it was a bowler’s pitch and we went out to take early wickets. Both teams took to the field missing a key player giving the game a slightly different complexion from the last meeting.
Jonah C and Ben C opened our account, SNCC starting steadily with singles flowing.
First wicket fell to JC clean bowling their opener. This was shortly followed by another clean bowled wicket from BC. SNCC 4 overs 19 for 2 and the mid were going well.
1st change saw Tom step up and claim 1 for 11 from 2 overs. Partnered by Robbie who got another wicket with a flighted delivery which the batter played through early. Alex B completed some tidy work to claim a runout during Robbie’s second over.
Alex and Aun then bowled tidily for the next 4 overs No further wickets taken and SNCC putting some pressure on the bowlers with some meaty blows through midwicket.
Oscar D restored NMCC momentum with a quick reaction catch in front of his face. Well done Oscar, great catch. Cameron took a second catch off Malachy’s bowling moving well towards square leg.
Max and Oscar finished the bowling off, both claiming a wicket each to leave SNCC 107 for 9 off 20 overs.
NMCC set out to start well with some single and see off their opening bowlers. Cameron and Oscar opened up looking for quick singles. Oscar fell to a fantastic bowl clipping the top of off stump.
Jonah C joined Cameron and they really pushed the innings forward with some fantastic running. Pushing for 2 to the deep fielders. When Cameron finally on 27, NMCC were 50 for 2.
Ben came in and carried on the the positive momentum steadily building our total. Jonah fell shortly after for a handy 21 built on some really aggressive running between the wickets.
Max DS took his chance to hit a fantastic 23 featuring some lovely shots through midwicket. Ben (14) fell to NMCC’s only run out of the innings, and Robbie joined Max with 87 on the board and 4 overs remaining. Max and Robbie took us over the line with 8 balls remaining.
In summary, just about the perfect run chase. Aggressive running meant that the fielding team were constantly under pressure drawing a series of overthrows.
A great team performance. We need to tidy up our fielding a little and try to cut down our extras count. No man of the match award as there was too many significant contributions. My favourite moment was Oscar’s catch which was really travelling. Two games next week including a cup final. We are well set for the last 3 games.
Go the Midd!
Match report written by Robbie Clark and Ben Chambers. Edited by Graham Clark