After making the long journey south to Taplow, Cublington won the toss and elected to field on an already dark evening with rain in the air. The Taplow openers set about our bowling scoring 42 from the first four overs and their final pair were equally as effective, the innings closing on 296 for 5, Haywood scoring 23 and Shaffiq 25. Declan Carroll and Kit Gordon-Stuart produced miserly spells in the middle of the innings of 2 overs, 1 maiden, 0-9 and 2 overs 0-4 respectively but best bowling went to Sam Perry with 2 overs, 1-2. His left arm spin was consistently leaving the bat but he produced a superb off break that bowled the batsman through the gate as it unexpectedly turned the other way. His unerring accuracy also applied the pressure that resulted in two run outs during his spell.

Faced with a mountain to climb, Cublington fairly exploded into the run chase reaching a net score of 280 for 3 after just 10 overs. The tension continued to mount as we rather freewheeled around this total gaining some runs then losing wickets on a consistent basis. In the end Cublington pulled up just short; needing 9 runs to win from the final over, we lost wickets in the drizzle and approaching gloom to finish on 279 for 10 just before the heavens opened. Best batting came from Calum Lawson who is proving a revelation with the bat, as he lashed into the Taplow opening bowlers hitting five 4s mostly with some good pulls and an off drive. Support came from Kit Gordon-Stuart with 12 not out, consisting of three 4s.


Thanks go to Vince Perry for scoring, and all the parents for making the long trip down to the south Bucks border on a weekday evening. You can follow our progress in the Bucks County Board League U11 Conference 3 on the following website;
www.buckscb.org