Tom Holman
After only managing to secure eight points in the first game of the season, the pressure was mounting on skipper Jon Lown to deliver a victory against Potten End and his team delivered, racing to an emphatic eight-wicket victory in just two and a half hours.
Using a four-pronged all-pace attack reminiscent of the West Indies in their pomp, Ley Hill sliced through the Potten End top order like a knife through one of Ma Green’s tuna sandwiches. Celtic paceman Liam O’Neill marked his return to Ley Hill colours with three victims, while miserly seamer Andy Rennard conceded just 3 runs from his opening seven overs. Taking a leaf out of Jon Lown’s “Batting for Boring Openers”, Potten End’s Mansfield managed to take a single off the 51st ball he received, but was then so surprised to find himself off the mark that he fell LBW to the next ball. Rob Thompson chipped in with a couple of scalps while Craig Ottaway saw off three tailenders, including a wicket with a snorting bouncer of a first ball. A succession of gangly youths in helmets were sent trudging back to the pavilion as Hill wrapped up the innings for just 47. The home bowlers were helped by some questionable decisions from the opposition umpire (pictured), who was taking a break from filming for the next series of Third Rock From The Sun.
The target was
never going to stretch Ley Hill’s powerful batting line-up, though it did prove
too much for Ian Birkett, unhappy to be dispatched LBW for six. But Jon Lown and
Mark Curtis, signed on a Bosman style deal from Prestwood over the summer,
helped Hill pocket the 20 points before tea and in time for a long session on
the beers.
Potten End: 47 all
out (Ottaway 3 for 10, O’Neill 3 for 23, Thompson 2 for 8)
Ley Hill:
50 for 2
(Lown 28*)
Ley Hill won by
eight wickets
Man of the match:
Craig Ottaway for fiery bowling and a magnificent run-out
Clown of the
match: Potten End’s umpire for challenging the local rules