Lown
(left) won the toss and sent Lacey Green in to bat - a controversial decision
given the quality of the wicket, and with Lacey struggling in the league. In
addition, a number of Lown's men were nursing serious hangovers and would have
preferred to have slept though the opening exchanges and perhaps watched Serena
Williams running around. Opening up, Gary Helm made an early breakthrough but
Dell and Ward were soon in the runs, comfortably stroking their way to an 82-run
partnership. Chances came and went, and Hill had reason to feel aggrieved when
the visiting umpire refused to make any decisions at all, apparently suffering
from some kind of absence of the senses. Once again it was Rob Thompson who slowed the visitors down, forcing through his awkward brand of medium-pace. The middle-order flattered to deceive, and whilst Dell moved steadily on to 97, he also seemed intent on running out his entire team - and then ended up adopting a frankly baffling "don't bother running" approach in the final three overs. 172 was a greater total than Lacey should have been allowed, but was certainly not a big ask in such good conditions.
Gary
Helm (pictured right) and Rob Thompson produced a tea of gourmet quality, but
unfortunately opener Will Holman once again gorged himself and was consequently
too slow on a straight one from Dell the Younger. Jon Lown and Andy Rennard then
made heavy going of the straight but unsophisticated opening attack. Rennard
opened up with a massive six that must have interfered with the signals at
Bovingdon Beacon, but fell soon after, caught at mid-off. Once more it was Ley
Hill's answer to the San Tropez tan who provided the backbone to the home side's
innings, with a knock that could generously be described as "winning ugly". Nick Lee came in at number six and took apart the Lacey change bowlers, exposing gaps in the field that had opened up with the departure of the keeper with a leg injury (compounding the fact that one player had failed to show at all). Surprisingly, skipper Lown chose not to gift the visitors a few points by providing substitute fielders. By the end, as club enforcer Rob Thompson smashed eight in three balls, the victory was not in doubt, but Ley Hill will feel that they should have wrapped the game up sooner than they did.
Still, this was 20 points that in previous seasons Hill would have turned into a draw. The side deserves credit for clinically wrapping up what is now happily regarded as a routine victory.
Lacey Green: 172 all out (Thompson 2 for 23, Lown 2 for 46)
Ley Hill: 176 for 6 (Lown 66, Lee 27 not out)
Ley Hill won by 4 wickets
Man of the Match: This may not have been Jon Lown's most attractive innings, but his contribution was the essential foundation for a winning run-chase.
Clown of the Match: Anyone who believes that substitute fielders are provided in league fixtures.