It was a game that had everyone guessing until the last handful of overs when Scott took the game away with some determined shots, calling and running between wickets. The game was also crucial for Elstead in determining whether we finished in the promotion spots, Tilford being the strongest of the last three teams we would have to face.
The day did not start quite the way the skipper had planned when a no show had him calling on our President to go back and get his whites and fill in for his first game this season. A big thankyou to Pat from the team. With a couple of regulars missing we were also delighted to welcome back Rupert and young Jacob.
The skipper won the toss and put Tilford into bat, opening up the bowling with the Lincoln boys. Joe proved to be on form such that, with the oppo unable to lay a bat on ball, Guy and Paddy decided we could save him for some later overs. With Ollie at one end and Guy, making only his second appearance with the ball this season, Tilford found scoring difficult, maintaining a rate of 2.5 per over. Guy proved to be a handful dismissing the opener and the number three before a magnificent caught and bowled sent their number two back to the sheds. Tilford were troubled and responded by going back into their shells when Keith came on. Keith bowled his nine overs for just the loss of 14 runs including 4 maidens. When Paddy took over bowling from Guy, Tilford seemed to find some intent, gaining a few runs but soon found themselves caught. Only the number six bat was able to apply himself as others fell around him, pushing their score past 100 and eventually finishing on 146 from the 45 overs. Once again Elstead's fielding and catching were instrumental in keeping Tilford to such a low total on their bizarre pitch.
Elstead were confident we could achieve this provided we kept wickets in hand but we have thought this before and come a cropper. Keith and Pete opened and kept things ticking over; 38 off 15, 47 off 18. There was then a noticeable increase in intensity as they realised things needed to pick up. The first to go was Pete missing 'his sweep off the legs shot' at 57 off 21 overs, then Keith went some 15 mins later. Scott and Guy were now in and Scott was timing them well, although often crunching the ball to a fielder, keeping the run rate below where we wanted. Tilford began to get all excited, thinking they had us pegged, and their chatter rose a few notches. When Guy was skittled for 13 and Ollie shortly after, Elstead were 102 with just 10 overs to go and nerves were starting to twitch. The partnership of Joe and Scott was crucial as Joe smacked some lovely square cuts and Scotty began to seriously push the running between wickets. Oh no. another blow as Joe is bowled! Now it's Paddy out there with 26 runs required from 36 balls and Scotty is calling the runs with furious determination. When Paddy is run out the back of the chase is surely broken with finally just 9 needed from 19. A cool head from Chopper giving the strike to Scott and running like mad when he calls finally sees us over the line with 2 overs to spare.
A great game for the spectators, if not my nerves, but well done to all. Two more games to go. We are almost definitely promoted but want to finish top of the division.