Yoxford fall to agonising defeat

Yoxford arrived at third placed West Bergholt having been bowled out by the same opposition 3 weeks earlier for just 43. Unsurprisingly, having won the toss, the West Bergholt skipper chose to bowl first on a very green wicket clearly expecting another early finish. What followed was Yoxford's best performance of the season so far as they came so close to their first victory.
Yoxford opened with in form David Driver and his son Will but after 13 overs, Yoxford found themselves in the all too familiar position of 21-4, although David was still there on 14. Thomas Bond came to the wicket and helped steady the ship, adding 33 for the fifth wicket before he fell in the first over after drinks. Steve End and Guy Blades helped take the score up to 81, with David passing his 50, but when Guy fell to a mis timed pull shot, a score of over 100 looked unlikely, with only three junior players left to bat to support David. Harry Bond was the first of three to the crease and he helped the score up to 95 before he was bowled by Bergholt captain Smith for 4 bringing Mason Stacey in to bat. Not for the first time this season, Mason showed great technique and determination to support David as he edged ever closer to his century. Mason fell after occupying 7 overs, but when he departed David was on 84 and the total 122-9. Last man, Samuel Binks continued where Harry and Mason left off as David reached a superb century in the 43rd over. Samuel was eventually run out with 3 balls of the innings left to leave David unbeaten on 105. In all, Harry, Mason and Samuel, although only scoring 7 runs between them, helped David add a priceless 63 runs to leave Bergholt a total of 144 to chase.
Numerous times this season, Yoxford have taken early wickets, but with small totals to defend, the bowlers have had little chance of bowling the opposition out. Today was different. With a score on the board, the feeling at tea was that there was a real chance of the visitors causing a major upset.
Will Driver and Thomas Bond opened the bowling and the first four overs only produced 3 scoring shots before the accurate bowling produced the breakthrough. A wicket falling in successive overs to leave Bergholt 17-2. Will in particular was causing the batters problems, his first 4 overs going for just 3 runs. The third wicket fell in the 12th over, Will finding some extra bounce to leave the Bergholt number 4 fending to David Driver in the gully. Thomas got the fourth in the next over to leave the score 30-4. It was important that the change bowlers kept the pressure on the Bergholt middle order, with batting looking increasingly difficult and that is exactly what happened. David Driver took the fifth wicket, finding the edge for a regulation caught behind for Nigel Binks and the same combination repeated the feat a few overs later to leave Bergholt in big trouble on 65-6. Spinner Steve End then joined the party as Thomas Bond shown great reflexes to take an excellent catch at slip and Bergholt were 71-7. The opening bowlers returned and Will added his third wicket in his first over back before claiming the ninth wicket in the 36th over to put Yoxford one wicket away from a thoroughly deserved win. With Bergholt still 27 runs short of their target, their skipper, Smith and number 11 Twydell showed great composure to chip away at the total to leave them requiring 5 from the final over. This they achieved off the penultimate ball.
Despite having 6 players in the side under the age of 17, Yoxford pushed a far more experienced side all the way. The effort in the field was outstanding and all the players can be proud of their performances. Wil Driver finished with figures of 4-24. Thomas Bond 2-49 and David Driver 2-22.