A succulent top of table clash was set up for Saturday’s away fixture at Redbourn. The home team were searching for their sixth victory to maintain a 100 per cent record and their place at the top of Divison 3, while Northchurch were hoping to win convincingly enough to overtake them.

Winning the toss, NCC elected to bat, anticipating that runs on the board would be preferable in what was sure to be a high pressure match.

Redbourn bowled accurately to force a slow start but the honours were even in the early exchanges until Henry Bexon was smartly stumped down the leg side. It was clear that scoring was not easy as McGiffin combined with Calum Lindsay in a steady and risk free partnership of 72 (pictured) before the Aussie was caught at mid-off for 43, attempting to push the rate up at the half way point of the innings.

Veteran run machine Steve Bateman joined Lindsay at the crease and the pair compiled a second consecutive partnership of fifty plus until both lost their wickets with the score on 160. Again, attempts at accelerating led to downfall. Remaining batsmen supported John Barry well to score at a run a ball in the last ten overs and finish with a total of 207.

Although Redbourn probably had cause to be the happier side at tea, the pace of the first innings indicated that the pitch was not easy to score quickly on. Northchurch knew that if they bowled well, Redbourn would need to take risks to make the runs and would surely give chances. And so it proved.

With the mid-season change of format and attendant increase in bowling limits to 15 overs per bowler, Redbourn were staring down the barrel of facing 45 overs from Northchurch’s three leading wicket takers, OJ, McGiffin and Barry, all carrying economy rates of three or less and averages of sub 15.

Breakthrough came early when, in the second over, danger man Ed Hales holed out to mid-off after attempting to hit an OJ length ball for six into a stiff wind. Redbourn continued to play shots in counterattack but lost three quick wickets in the process and were reduced to 30 for four.

McGiffin (11-2-33-5), charging into a headwind, was in business early as he induced two loose cut shots at slightly wider deliveries. The first a healthy edge to the safe hands of Mark Goblin at second slip and the second, a thin nick off the toe of the bat to the gloves of Matt Suckling.

Meanwhile, OJ (15-6-24-2) had bowled with great control and patience to restrict opener Pritchard to just four runs from 30 balls before finding the edge of his bat. Bateman, taking an excellent low catch in the gully, sparked wild celebrations in which he tweaked his knee and declared that he would retire after the game. No one believed him.

Barry (15-3-42-2), replacing McGiffin into the wind was driven firmly by the in-form Redbourn captain, Dan Roe, but persevered with a full length and got his reward when one skidded low under the bat to hit off stump and leave the home team reeling at 40 for five.

A partnership developed between Alex Salter and Ben Roe, who managed to move the score along at around four an over until McGiffin, back into the attack and this time with the wind astern, forced Roe to glove behind, fending at a nasty short ball. Northchurch smelled blood as the number eight came to the crease and was sent back after facing just an over, adjudged caught behind down the leg side off McGiffin for a duck.

At 91 for seven Redbourn’s intent turned to not losing the game. But they also needed to get up to 140 to start claiming the bonus points that could be the difference between the two sides at the end of the season. The resulting mixture of defence and aggression meant that chances would still come for Northchurch.

Barry was unlucky not have the now established Salter LBW as he left a ball which appeared to be going on to hit middle and off but was turned down on height. More disappointment looked certain for Barry when, a few balls later, a tough chance was fumbled by the keeper and headed turfwards. However, Bateman was once again catlike in running round from first slip to scoop up the deflection (and prompt him out of the retirement which he had not yet entered).

With Salter gone, so too hopes of securing any more points and Redbourn decided to shut up shop. But overwhelming momentum was with the visitors and a mix up the with running followed when number 10 Moyle was sent back after setting off for an ill judged leg bye, Bexon swooping from short leg to slide and throw to Suckling.

The final pair would have to bat through twelve overs to preserve their top spot by preventing Northchurch from claiming the remaining 11 points on offer.

They looked relatively untroubled, blocking spin from one end and ducking or jamming down on McGiffin bouncers and yorkers at the other. However, with 14 balls to go, Dinwoodie’s concentration, which had served him so well to make 19 from 55 balls, evaporated and with it, Redbourn’s hopes of saving the match. Playing at a ball that could have been left, he cut hard but in the air and straight to OJ at point who gratefully snaffled the catch to trigger jubilant celebrations from the black and ambers and give McGiffin his second five wicket haul in as many weeks.

An excellent fielding display of bowling in pairs and hunting in packs meant that Northchurch were not only able to defend their total but create the pressure to completely blow the opposition out of the water.

We will be looking to make it six wins in a row next Saturday when we return to the Meadow to face mid-table Southgate Compton.