1st XI
Matches
Sat 08 Jun 2019  ·  Division Three A
Northchurch Cricket Club
1st XI
156/7
152
Letchworth Garden City CC - 2nd XI
Romit finishes final over thriller

Romit finishes final over thriller

Tom Vila10 Jun 2019 - 13:51
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The 1st XI maintained second position in div 3 with a win over Letchworth 2nd XI in a game shortened by a rainy morning to 35 overs per side.

NCC won an important toss and invited Letchworth to bat on a drying pitch. Vila and James both benefited from early assistance with a wicket apiece in the opening 3 overs. Patel and Hobley kept the pressure on first change, however, it was Fidler, bowling from his less favoured end, who really opened the door for Northchurch.

His first came by trapping Manning LBW and he was unlucky not have Albon caught behind the very next ball. The opposition captain did not hang around long though, as Fidler got his man in next over, Hobley completing the move with a simple catch at point.

Erstwhile LGCCC skipper, Matt Bridge, had taken the decision to put the pitch out of his mind and swing hard, a plan that paid off as the misbehaving deliveries missed the edge of the bat by plenty. However, his luck ran out when he became Fidler’s third victim, with Suckling behind the stumps the co-conspirator in the downfall this time.

When Saf Khan bowled the dangerous Jenkins for 18, Letchworth found themselves on 97 for seven and Northchurch were keen to knock over the tail. However, Kilby and McGlynn had other ideas and made the pitch look a little flatter. On their way to the only fifty partnership of the match, Kilby leant on some glorious cover drives and McGlynn took full advantage of the short boundary and stiff breeze to take 25 off an over.

Coming back at the death Vila and Hobley took the remaining three wickets in five balls to leave a tricky but achievable chase of 152.

Rob Channon and Joel, both promoted from the 2nd XI after back to back fifties, were sent in to face the new ball and gave early indications that scoring would be easier in the second half. Joel provided the highlights to a valuable opening stand of 35 with two sublime back-foot punches though the covers.

Joel felt somewhat aggrieved to fall LBW but Suckling continued the good work with Channon, until the latter picked out a leg side fielder off a well hit pull shot. Khan and Suckling got in and ticked along nicely for a partnership of 40 that sucked some of the life from the fielding team, before they were reenergised by a brilliant run out.

Suckling called for a trademark single to mid-off, only to find that he had picked out Letchworth’s best fielder, Jenkins, who threw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Jenkins was back in the game with his leg breaks soon after as he forced Khan to chop on with a flatter delivery, leaving Northchurch needing sixty from 80 balls on a pitch that was still offering plenty to the bowlers.

Hobley and Bexon steadied the ship with a partnership of thirty but the loss of three quick wickets meant the five or so an over needed at the business end of the game would be challenging. Romit joined Hobley at the crease and settled the nerves with a beautifully timed drive for four, then the pair took runs wherever they could to avoid leaving too much to do later.

Letchworth were happy to have junior partner Romit on strike for the last over of the game, with Northchurch still needing five from it. However, their gamble to bring long on into the ring did not pay off as Romit popped the first ball over his head for four, eliminating any tension that remained. A repeat of the same shot the very next ball was representative of the confidence with which Northchurch had gone about the chase. Letchworth deserve credit for playing well and never looked far behind but were always struggling to break into the game after losing such an impactful toss.

The win keeps the pressure on unbeaten league leaders Hoddesdon, who kept Luton Town and Indians at bay with a win by 15 runs. Next week sees the 1st XI move on to well know rivals Datchworth.

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Jun 2019

Kickoff

13:00

Competition

Division Three A
Team overview
Further reading