Clymping 192 all out (47.4 overs) – 11 points

East Preston 193-6 (43.1 overs) – 30 points

Another week of wet weather made the decision easy on winning the toss on a very damp Clymping track, although the skipper was getting worried after 15 overs without taking a wicket.

Darryl began economically as normal, but was unusually wayward, perhaps due to the slope of the wicket. He bowled a few “pearlers” but the absence of any real pace in the pitch hampered him. At the other end, Joel got his usual outswing, although initially pitching the ball too far up and being twice driven over extra cover by Kim Dean, but quickly adjusted and eventually had his man LBW with a swinging full toss (57-1). It was a pleasure to see an opposition umpire who gave what he saw and, even if some of his decisions were borderline (or poor in one case), he was scrupulously fair (or unfair) to both teams. As long as it is “the same for both sides”, everyone can be satisfied with that.

Mark Coskin had replaced Darryl, but it was obvious from his predominantly leg-side over, which brought two sets of four byes and another boundary, that this was not his wicket and he was immediately replaced by young Tom C who belied his lack of experience and adapted immediately with good accuracy and had the opposition skipper, Gareth Challen, well held by Miggins at midwicket (62-2). The run rate was being kept in check, partly due to elder statesman Roger Green’s inability to beat the field (he was only on 10) so EP looked in control.

Then, with a left hander coming to the crease and negating the effect of the short leg-side boundary, the skipper had a “Damascus” moment and replaced Tom C, who had 1-1 from two overs, with Miggins. From his first delivery, Miggins had the ball spitting off the pitch, troubling keeper Smutt as much as the batters, although Clymping were able to continue, aided by some almost comical fielding by EP, without further loss until the 29^th over when Hancock tried to hit over the top and was caught one-handed by Dan Carter at deep mid-on (107-3). Although Dan was to later completely misjudge another one in the deep and dive over a couple more, he was not alone in bringing ineptitude to the fore as Coskin, perhaps pondering on his earlier bowling and lacking concentration in the field, also a missed a couple of chances, and others were clearly daydreaming. Something we all need to think about in the coming weeks!

With the wicket turning sharply, Sean was introduced for a couple of exploratory overs of leggies, but lacked control and was soon asked to revert to his standard seam-up, which brought an immediate reward with the wicket of Green, LBW for a patient 40 (115-4). Meanwhile, Miggins was still bowling superbly and cleaned up David Blackall (who had scored 94 and 103 in his last two innings) with a beauty (121-5).

Clymping tried to accelerate, but were halted by the return of Darryl, who had Karl Pierce caught behind (160-6) to get EP’s first points and things got even better when Miggins bowled Matt Barton, who simply left one he should have played (164-7). Darryl got his second when Miggins caught Waddington (185-8) and although the Aussie, Danson, was still looking dangerous, he became Miggins fourth victim, again clean bowled (185-9). Thoughtless running brought the innings to a close when Coskin, redeeming himself for his earlier slips, ran out Salisbury (192 all out) and EP had ten points in the bag – the first time we have bowled out a team this season.

Perhaps affected by a huge tea (the best seen for several years), Sean got the run chase off to the worst possible start by being bowled for a fine-inducing duck (1-1), but Smutt and Jack looked at ease until Smutt got one that jagged back and was given LBW for 17 (32-2). Darryl fell the same way (36-3) and suddenly Clymping’s score was looking huge.

After a three low league scores, Jack was looking good and pulled Danson for six into the neighbouring field but was adjudged LBW two balls later (62-4). Several fielders were shaking their heads as they had clearly heard the big inside edge but, it was an honest mistake from the umpire. Dan Carter came and went for a golden duck, falling over a well pitched up delivery to be bowled (65-5) and panic could easily have set in but, after initial alarms, Tom R and Miggins restored calm and produced a fantastic partnership of 122 until Tom was bowled for an assured 64 just six runs short of the target (187-6). Skipper Andy played out four deliveries, one of which was a huge full toss that should have been called a no-ball by umpire Minno, and with three overs still remaining, Miggins struck the next ball for a big straight six to win the game, to gain maximum points for EP, and get himself a huge bear hug from the skipper who raced from the non-striker’s end to congratulate him for his fine match: four wickets, two catches and 71 not out!

An absolutely brilliant, if not flawless effort from our young team! The good thing is that we won this without being at our best, so we know that we have better things to come and can compete against the top sides in this league.

Miggins was clearly man of the match, but a lot of credit must also go to Tom, not only for his innings, but also for the calm-down chats he had with Miggins when the big guy played the odd rash shot.

The skipper is very proud of everyone.