The one that got away’ is perhaps how this match will be remembered.  In the knowledge that Binfield is a well drilled and disciplined team, with a preference of playing with those plastic bats, the Falcons approached this game with a good deal of confidence especially following their impressive win against Crown Wood.  With Binfield opting to open the batting, the first five overs were accurate and disciplined, and restricted the opposition to a net score of just 208 runs for the loss of one wicket.  After that a mixture of plastic bat boundaries and perhaps the least polished fielding performance from the Falcons all season allowed Binfield to reach 271-4 at the end of their 15 overs.  The one bright point in the field was a superb diving stop and throw to the wicket by Ben W when it looked like the ball was racing towards the boundary.
 

Having gifted their opponents over 10 runs through byes and over throws, along with missed opportunities for run-outs, the question was would the falcons rue their generosity? 

The Falcons opening pair of Lucas and Owen stepped up and made sure the team had the start to their innings that was needed.  A total of 26 runs in the first three overs, with 18 coming from the bat and Lucas top scoring with 10, ensured that the chase was on.  The next two pairs of Jack/Christopher and Sam L-D/Kieran kept the score board ticking over; with Sam L-D and Kieran demonstrating awareness and good understanding to steal the odd extra run or two.  In fact the concentration level of every player while batting was commendable, especially taking into consideration Binfield’s wicket keepers continually looking for a stumping and accompanying it with a loud appeal even though there was no chance of a wicket.  The last pair of Sam D and Callum was faced with having to score 23 runs to win off their last three overs, which ended up being 20 runs required off the last over thanks to some tidy Binfield bowling.  It looked like all was lost – until a very bizarre over which included three extra balls, a no-ball plus boundary, four leg byes and a wicket.  This still left the Falcons just five runs short of their target; the result was perhaps even more frustrating because the wicket that was taken in the final over could easily have been a no-ball.  At the end of the day it was perhaps the performance in the field that was the reason why the Falcons didn’t prevail.

An exciting and nerve tingling match!