West Essex v Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 3rd X1 on Sat 12 Jun 2004 at 1.30pm
Gidea Park & Romford CC Won 4 wickets
Winning the toss was essential after having looked at the wicket and that bit we got right. Early on we were a bit wayward and adding to the fact that the boundaries were very short West Essex got off to a reasonably (if at times ugly) start and an opening stand of 57 in even time was a concern. However, as often happens the fall of the first wicket brings 2 and 3 etc and that is exactly what happened. 57-0 became 102-7 and despite a late flurry West Essex were eventually all out for 136. Paul Winmill proved that bowling straight on a wicket which at his end kept a bit low returned figures of 5-63 off 20.4 overs (4 LBW's) and Andy Jenner 4-40 off 16 overs.
Our reply started badly with both Andy D'cruz and Keith out without troubling the scorers. With Jimmy, Matt, Bal and Jason also all out cheaply you could say that 53-6 represented a tad of a crisis. Time for older heads and straight bats!!! Ian Gordon then played a brilliant cameo for 54 not out and with yours truly having a net up the other end, no more wickets were lost during a match winning 7th wicket stand of 83 and victory was duly achieved with 20 overs to spare.
Every other week we will play away from home on wickets which will in no way resemble our own shirt-front. We have the bowlers to exploit these conditions but we must be able to adapt when we go out to bat. Wickets that keep low and occaisionally pop are common place and you have to commit to playing one way (mainly front foot) and sacrifice the luxury of being able to play million dollar shots all around the wicket. Bear that in mind - Harlow next week!!
Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 3rd X1 Batting
138 for 6
West Essex Bowling
West Essex Batting
136 for 10
Gidea Park & Romford CC Saturday 3rd X1 Bowling