It might have been the cooler weather, it might have been sheer desperation, or it might have been the knowledge that even if they did win, Ley Hill would stay at the bottom of the league.  Whatever it was it worked – Ley Hill winning their first match of the season and so ending the worst start to a season in the club’s history.

Electing to bat first, Ley Hill skipper Jon Lown and Kash Shakoor had a good opening stand of 36 before Shakoor went for 20.  Andy Rennard joined Lown at the crease and they put on 55 before both fell within a couple of balls – Lown for 42 and Rennard for 21. 

Suddenly it was back to the same old same old for the Hill as they went from 91-2 to 116-6 thanks largely to the bowling of Martin Fewell (4-38) and “Tee” Mahmood (2-38).  At 149-7 it looked all over – that is until Will Holman and Craig Ottaway came to the crease.  In a record breaking 8^th wicket stand of 113 they took the score to 262-7 in 45 overs with an exciting display of high-class batting – Holman hitting 5 fours on his way to 45 and Ottaway hitting 6 sixes towards his 67.

After losing an early wicket, Lacey Green settled down thanks largely to 49 from Mahmood - who was out to a quite spectacular catch by Rennard.  The Green kept chasing the total with A. Thompson (24), Weston (25) and Hedgeland (35) keeping Ley Hill’s nerves on edge. 

The steady bowling of Rob Thompson (3-54 from 12) and Kash Shakoor (2-51 from 9) caused the Green many problems.  Lacey Green’s final downfall was caused by Andy Rennard; having been practicing slow spin in the nets all summer he used it in a match for the first time, and with figures of 2-6 he’ll no doubt try it again!

This was a first rate match, played sportingly and in good spirit, with the Lacey Green team happy to join the Ley Hill players in the bar afterwards to celebrate.  Now Ley Hill have to win again.  And again.  And...