For the second week running Minchinhampton came off on the wrong side of a closely fought encounter.  This week losing at Chalford by a run off the last ball of the game.

Skipper Waring had no hesitation on electing to bat first on what looked like a good batting track, despite last weeks poor batting show.  Things got off to a poor start with Pretorius edging one to the keeper in the second over of the game. Alex Waring and Dave Gordon looked to get things going and both started to find their feet with a few well struck fours, just as it looked like they were settling in for a partnership Waring was tempted by Catchpole and prodded at a wide one, knicking off to the keeper. Britton came and went without troubling the scorer and Minch looked in some trouble when opener Gordon also departed for 28.  After the failure of the top 4 to get in it was left to the middle order to summon some respectability.  Oli Cooper smashed a quick fire 20 and Tom Shearman batted very nicely for 21.  Hedley Garrett 11 and Dave Cruikshank 21 offered some useful support to skipper Jaime Waring 38no who rattled the score along in the closing overs.  Hampton finishing their 45 overs on a respectable 171, happy with their mid-order rebuild although slightly concerned they were thirty runs light of a match winning score.

As it transpires they were one run short!

Another excellent bowling display saw the wickets shared amongst the bowling attack.  Minch stuck at it and worked very hard in the field, always believing they could win the game.  Chalford looked well positioned at 50-1 but Minch started to find their feet when Pretorius removed Webster 49 caught and bowled for his first ever Minch CC wicket.  Jamie Waring made life difficult coming on first change from the top end, picking up the wickets of Tuttle, Hannam and Catchpole to keep Hampton in with a shout.

Always keeping a handle on Chalford’s run rate, Minch never let them get away and with two overs to play Chalford were 162 for 7 and needed 20 to win.  Minch could be forgiven thinking they were in control.  However, a massive six by youngster Sam Linguard off the first ball of Waring’s penulitmate over swung the momentum back in Chalford’s favour, this was followed by a four and four singles to leave Chalford 6 of the last.

Chalford kept their cool and managed to scramble their way to level the scores with one ball left of the game.  Shearman couldn’t find the killer blow with his last ball and despite a close run out attempt Linguard and Bray managed to get Chalford home.

Hampton were left bitterly disappointed to lose another close game and feel that they might just be due a close one to go their way next time!

Thanks to Mike King for umpiring and Kath Bovey for scoring and to the Chalford boys for an excellent afternoon’s cricket played in good competitive spirits.