After last week’s break due to rain, the sun finally came out and the Seniors responded with the 1st XI gaining a winning draw at home against Roehampton, whilst the Seconds were away at Roehampton, beating them by 1 wicket. Matt Baker took 4 wickets in his two spells. Full round up after weekend.
At home, the 1st XI won the toss and elected to field. After an early wicket fell, Roehampton steadied themselves on a damp and slow pitch, with Costello and Dorsett particularly frustrating the Long Ditton bowlers. Tea was reached with 7 wickets down, with Roehampton declaring on 197 in the 51st over.
In reply, Long Ditton also lost an early wicket, but newcomer Richard Krige almost scored a fifty on his debut, making 46, before falling LBW. It looked like defeat may have been on the cards for LDCC, but very patient knocks from captain Ian Antonio and Michael Hall saw Long Ditton hold for for the losing draw.
The 2nd XI had a very dramatic game away at Roehampton, winning by just 1 wicket. Tight fielding and bowling ensured Roehampton were bowled out for 125 in the 47th over – the highlight being Matt Baker taking 4 wickets for just 24 runs in his 2 spells totalling 11 overs. All the bowlers played well, especially Dan Johnstone, who was again very unlucky in numerous appeals.
After tea, Allan Hutcheson and Ed Baxter played extremely well in a 75 run partnership, but then the nerves crept in, with wickets falling as the target came closer. Mark Lambert and Dan Johnstone were the last two men left and with Lambert on strike, anything is possibel. Much to his relief, he saw the ball sail wide down leg side to go for 5 wides, enabling LDCC to gain a dramatic victory.
On Sunday, there was only 1 game at home, which was against Chiswick and Latymer. LDCC could only muster 95, but Tom Ormerod (who had got married the day before), was the hero of the game, making 29 and taking 5 wickets, to leave Chiswick stranded 1 run short of LDCC’s total. Phew – what a weekend!