Team: 4th XI
Date: 25th May
Vs: Slough 4
Result: Match Drawn

Bobby O won the toss and elected to field, in bright but breezy conditions. The pitch was bare and very worn.

Finch opened the bowling with Mason and West who kept the Slough openers in check. The first Slough wicket went to Mason when Bobby O held on to a catch with his body rather than his hands. A couple of wickets fell but one of the Slough middle order kept the score ticking along with some unusual shots. Marcus Bazley joined the attack and bowled 12 overs taking 2 for 46. Dillon Augustus came on to bowl but unlike the last 2 weeks was not the golden arm the skipper was looking for, however he was tidy, finishing with figures of 7 for 21. It was left to the old timers in Mason and Osler to wrap up the slough innings, with Dave Mason taking another wicket (3 for 34 from 13 overs) and Bobby O finishing with 4 for 58 from 10 overs. These included 2 stumpings for the youngster Dan Lincoln and catches for Matt Lay and Malcolm Blogg. Sloughs total was 239 from 52.

Slough opened their bowling with two spinners, and the pitch, which showed signs of uneven bounce during their innings, helped them to trouble the Finch openers. Matt Lay went first with only 2 on the board, to one that bounced and turned, taking the glove on the way to the keeper. David Bellis and Malcolm Blogg then dug in for 10 overs, moving the score on to 20 when David was bowled for 7. This bought Dan Lincoln to the crease and he and Malcolm batted sensibly for 15 overs, when Malcolm was bowled for a steady 27 with the score on 66. Adam Davey joined Dan, and these two youngsters played very well, attacking the loose ball and defending when required, moving the score onto 104 at which time Dan was caught for a well played 38. Marcus Bazley (another youngster) joined Adam and these two played well, going for their shots. It was this that brought about Adam’s downfall; having pulled one of the opening spinners for 6 he went for another big shot and was caught for a good 58. Scott Osler joined Marcus and after being told by the skipper to play sensibly, was caught first ball going for a big pull shot ( it would have been good if it had come off ) but I think the skipper needs to revoke his mobile phone privileges for a week. Booby O then joined Marcus and played out a maiden to close the Finch innings on 173 for 6. Marcus ended on 26 not out.
After the first two defeats this draw may set the team on the right road for the rest of the season.