Batsmen come up short against Radley

On the warmest day of the year (until the next day) we entertained Radley on Jubilee. It was an absolutely crucial toss for Eds to lose as Radley elected to bat and we knew four hours in the heat would test all levels of endurance. Huggy Harrison, our new fixture secretary, lost his coin toss and Dan Chitty got to bowl down the hill. Radley got off to a flying start as both Chitty and Harrison were punished for some wayward deliveries. Jay Harman was introduced early and his first ball in 10 months was a filthy full toss that was smashed straight at Sam Langmead to break the opening partnership.

Despite Andrew Goudie and Harman bowling some good lines, Radley continued to make us toil and reached 140 for 1 with half an hour to go till lunch. The enthusiasm was admirable though and some smart glove work from from Kent, a very sharp leg side stumping, gave us another breakthrough. This turned the game and we suddenly had Radley 180 for 6 at lunch as Kingsnorth took a sharp catch in the gully off Will Langmead's offspin. We struck again after lunch and with Dan Chitty cleaning up the tail, we bowled Radley out for 230. This was about 100 short of what were expecting at 140 for 1, so a great effort as Harman and Goudie both picked up wickets.

It was clear just needed to keep wickets in hand and bat the overs. Gates went third ball, but Kent and Preece consolidated against some accurate Radley new ball bowling. Chris Preece began to open up with some glorious drives and Kent found form as we reached a respectable 70 for 1 at tea. Unfortunately Callum Kent, Langmead and Kingsnorth fell quickly after the interval and at 85 for 4 Preece and Copleston had to rebuild. When Eds was caught off an almost head high full toss, Langmead and Preece took us to 130 for 5. A hundred off the last 20, so game on. Langmead played an entertaining and almost chanceless innings before he was caught at short fine leg, Harrison was inexplicably run out and Preece then holed out to leave us in serious trouble. The tail barely wagged and we were bowled out 50 short. An entertaining game in the sun where we failed to chase an achievable total. Thank you to the supporters again, a large crowd enjoyed magnificent food put on by the school and we move on to two tough games against Welchy's best at the school in a fortnight. After that the focus turns to cricket week, beginning 7th July. It is probably worth a few of us having a net before then! Eds