1sts thrash Freeland in dominating win

On a cold afternoon at a good looking village ground, Andy lost the toss and we were put in on a dampish wicket. A change up in the order meant that Andy was Richard's new opening partner. Runs were difficult from the start on the slow wicket and many balls kept lower than expected. After an early reprieve, Richard was bowled in the 7th over with the score on 12. In form Edd Willmot came in at 3, hoping for another key innings. The pair batted superbly to see off over half the total overs and also have a partnership of 133, before Andy fell to former KCC teammate Jordon for 57. With 9 overs remaining, the plan was to score quick runs but starting with Sam Rodway falling victim to a dodgy LBW call, a cluster of wickets fell. Some loose batting and more poor umpiring left us short of 200 and Edd was yet again the stand out performer, scoring 83 not out.

After tea we started with 10 in the field as Jamie Stothard was having an extended personal tea session. Kamran Ramzan and Josh Behal started the bowling hoping to remove the top order, especially the dangerous Buckingham. With the new ball on an interesting surface, both bowlers enjoyed the conditions and bowled accurately. After a couple of near misses, Josh bowled Buckingham and the following over Ramzan bowled the other opener. Wickets were coming regularly and the score was 12-5 after 8 overs! With pressure from keeper Ben Bollig stood up to the stumps, the batsmen were really struggling. Both openers finished their spells conceding less than 10, Josh having taken 3 wickets. Chris Graham and Jacob Oliver were the next changes. Chris bowled well although unfortunately without reward, but it was Jacob who cleaned up the rest of the innings. Starting with a great ball to dismiss the right hander, he then decieved leftie Jordon with another top delivery. Ajay Behal came on replacing Chris and took a wicket with his first ball, a proper loosener that was edged onto the stumps! Jacob finished the innings with another wicket to end with 4 and Freeland all out for 54.

It was great to get our first official win of the season and well done to batsmen Andy and Edd for setting the platform for the bowlers!