Sometimes a performance doesn't get the reward it deserves and that was certainly the case in a high-quality match against Hornchurch at Cromer Road.
As is their preference, having won the toss the Park captain, Simeon Barker, opted to bowl and was rewarded with some superb efforts in the field.
Opening pair Finlay Croker and Joshua Sadler, relative newcomers to the team, forced two run-outs and a straight bowl-out to restrict the batsmen to 211 after 4, whilst the bowlers continued to perform throughout. Oliver Daniels once again took the most wickets for the third successive game, finishing with 2 for 8, whilst Ryan Bhopari (deserved more from strong pace bowling)and Aaron Sterling also took wickets for single-figure runs. Superb catches in the field by Jack Marsh and George Thompson were highlights whilst recent individual coaching saw Oliver Daniels progress again, shown by his combination run-out with George T.
260 at the end of the 20th over, Hornchurch sent in their star batsman and it was down to him to increase the score which he did well, eventually putting another 22 on the total through his two overs. That took the score to beat to 282, a far harder task than it looked just half-an-hour before.
In reply, Park started steadily, losing just three wickets in the first 12 overs, and knocking up 245, in front of their opposition score at this point. Highlight of that first half was the excellent calling and running of Daniels and Sterling, both impressing onlookers with their speed between the wickets.However, Hornchurch than produced a star bowler for the next pair in John O'Brien who took four wickets for just a single run and knocked Park back to 236 after 16.
It was uphill from there and whilst George Milton-White and Jack Marsh took it to 243, they needed a miracle effort from lone batsman George Thompson to win. Admirable though his score of 11 was against the netter bowlers, it was never going to be enough, and according to the Hornchurch faithful, this was one of their best efforts, not allowing any ball to leak down the favourable downhill leg side.
Applauded by all as they left the pitch, all these players can go home safe in the knowledge that repeating today's effort will win a huge amount of matches.
For us involved at Gidea Park, it was a hugely encouraging effort from every player and it was only on the turn of a couple of overs that the game changed. We couldn't be prouder of the way the team is progressing and look forward to more success in future.