1st XI lose narrowly but continue to stick to core principles

The Saturday XI welcomed a strong and experienced Worlingworth side to Grove Park on Saturday. The day began with the captain loosing his third consecutive toss and was pleasantly surprised when asked to bowl on a shall we say interesting looking track.

The opening pair of Thonas Bond and Will Driver must surely be the youngest in the league but bowled with a maturity and skill way beyond their years. Bowling a tight line and length they dismissed the top 5 batsmen including the very dangerous Ed Parker for less than 25 runs. David Driver and Steve End continued to build pressure and take full advantage of the conditions as Worlingworh consolidated and looked to build some kind of total. Enter Simon Rodwell, formally of this parish to play a brave and determined innings which took Worlingworth past the 100 mark in a last wicket stand that owed much to the application of the Worlingworth number 11. Ben Aust and Mason Stacey can consider themselves unlucky as they both forced mistakes from the batsmen but Yoxford couldn't claim the last wicket until the 41st over - but bowling out a team for the first time this season. Three catches and two very tidy stampings by Martin Trimby mean he could be favourite to claim the gloves for the season despite his protests that his body won't cope with it.

Chasing 140 a new opening pair of Jamie Thurston and David Driver got off to a solid start, looking to keep wickets in hand and score from the bad deliveries. The plan slightly derailed when first David Driver fell for 16 and was followed soon after by the captain. Loosing in form batsman Thomas Bond also added to Yoxford's woes but solid and patient partnership of Steve End and Tom Driver briefly stopped the fall of wickets. Yoxford were given hope with the arrival of Martin Trimby who looked at ease pushing the total up towards 100 with some very good mature support from Mason. The loss of Martin for 26 to a strangled leg-side catch was a big blow, but hope was reignited with Ben Aust and Will Driver showing their potential with some very classy shots taking Yoxford past the 100 mark. Yoxford entered the last chance saloon with Stace looking to play in typical cavalier fashion but alas it was not to be as we were all out for 105.

In the end a narrow defeat but as a club we take immense pride in the way we play our cricket and the chances we give to all our young players. Special mention to Harry Bond who didnt get a chance to bowl but fielded very well and 12th man and scorer Samuel Binks.

Jamie Thurston