Potten End v Ley Hill, 12th July 2003
Nick Lee
Unbeaten in the league since 31st May, Ley Hill travelled to basement club Potten End in expectation of a victory. Instead, they were nearly overturned by a fighting Potten End performance.
After winning the toss, Potten End decided to bat in the searing heat. Ley Hill opened with the fiery pace of mad Irishman Liam O'Neill from one end and the more sedate offerings of mahogany skipper Jon Lown from the other. It soon became clear that the wicket had something in it for bowlers prepared to bend their back: O'Neill sent down a series of testing deliveries that had the Potten End openers hopping about, while Lown decided to settle on line and length. O'Neill took a couple of wickets when his pants gave way again (we now know the origin of the term "shreddies"). At 40 for 4, Potten End were struggling... (Censored 13th August 2003 on legal advice) ... However, any hopes that Hill had for bowling out Potten End cheaply disappeared as End's middle order put together a series of partnerships. Some late hitting took their score to 197 for 9, about par for the good wicket and fast outfield.
In reply, Hill lost opener Curtis early, completely bemused by the unusual bowling actions of the Potten End opening bowlers, Skippy and Slingy. Lown soon followed, absentmindedly walking down the wicket to be run out by the keeper - he was probably distracted by the thought of a cheap Wedgwood tea set that he had seen in an antique shop window on his way to the game. "Ladies Man" Andy Rennard went calmly about rebuilding the innings with Martin Leadbitter until the latter fenced at a lifter from Potten End's gangling left armer. The brought the hopelessly out-of-form Brewer to the crease. As he slowly played himself in, all the crowd had to marvel at was eating capacity of the family who had turned up and hoovered up the sandwiches and cakes left over from tea. However, soon Brewer found his range and launched an assault on the bowling redolent of times past - the only thing that could stop him was if he melted completely in the heat.
Eventually, with the score at 162, Brewer fell. However, the job was virtually done, and Rennard and Nick Lee saw the Hill home with a series of sweetly-struck boundaries, Rennard finishing on 78 not out.
Potten
End: 197 for 9 (O'Neill 4 for 33, Lown 2 for 37)
Ley Hill: 199 for 4 (Rennard 78, Brewer 57)
Ley Hill win by 6 wickets
Man of the Match: Keith Brewer for beefy hitting and Liam O'Neill for bowling fast in pants that could end his reproductive career before it has begun (so he says anyway) get a mention, but it has to be Andy Rennard for his pleasing innings of 78.
Clown of the Match: (Censored 13th August 2003 on legal advice)