Forced on to the artificial strip after the heavy rain, Hill continued
their recent fine batting form with Keith Strickland and Andy Rennard
quickly establishing a good understanding, though quick singles were in
short supply. Rennard cranked up through the gears to hit 65 in an innings
variously described by team-mates in a quick poll as "cultured",
"nicely-paced", "pedestrian" and "torturous". When Strickland fell for 19,
Tom Holman boarded the run galleon to nudge ones and twos to all corners
of the ground in his 59 not out, before Keith Brewer ended the innings
with a flourish with a quick-fire 37. Sentimental captain Green opened the bowling with Dave and Craig Peterson, and it was the promising colt who struck first with a fine caught and bowled. Not to be outdone, his old man chipped in with a couple of scalps, and that man Rennard followed with two more. Not for the first time the skipper's decision to bring himself on to bowl failed to pay dividends, his six deliveries disappearing for 16 before he wisely invited himself to have a rest. Harrow suddenly found themselves back in the chase, but Graham Harrison then took his tenth and eleventh wickets of the season to stem the flood as Hill hung on for the win.
Ley Hill: 206 for 3 (Rennard 65, T Holman 59*, Brewer 37)
Harrow Wayfarers: 178 all out (Rennard 3 for 39, Peterson 2 for 42,
Harrison 2 for 47)
Ley Hill won by 28 runs
Man of the match: Andy Rennard, for an excellent all-round performance and
stylish new kit
Clown of the match: Dennis McCarthy for a dismal dropped skier that
ricocheted off his knee, though he did redeem himself later with a few
overs of excellent medium-pace
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