It was another action packed weekend for our three Senior sides last Saturday as all three teams WON
the toss but alas it was only the 1st XI that could claim actual victory in their encounter.
With a much changed side, stand-in skipper Ben Joyce opted to bat first and despite some dogged resistance from Pratik Dutta (23) and Joe Forster (18), it required late flurries from Jacob Hutchings (18), Tom Parry (13) and Rob Clark (12*) to scramble to a total of 127 all out in just 35.2 overs. In reply, Eversholt seemed to cruising as they moved into the 50s for the loss of just 2 wickets. However, cometh the hour, cometh the James... with former skipper CJ dusting off his holiday jet-lag to spin the home side to a dramatic 17 run victory as he picked up 6-25 from his 10 overs. Duane Smith also chipped in with a miserly 2-16 as the visitors subsided to 110 all out in 35 overs.
The 1st XI now sit in 3rd place in Division 2B and will be looking to pile more pressure on the teams above them with victory on their travels to Northchurch this weekend.
The 2nd XI were left ruing some missed opportunities in a couple of phases of the match as they fell to a 30 run defeat against Totteridge Millhillians 3rd XI. With Jacob up in the 1s, stand-in skipper Tom Templeton chose to field first and a tight 10 overs had the hosts in trouble, despite a couple of dropped chances. However, in the next 15 overs the home side rallied and picked up the scoring rate and seemed on track to cruise past 180. However, the 2nd team put together a fantastic final phase of the innings as the run rate slowed and wickets started to fall, ultimately restricting Totteridge to just 165-7 in their 40 overs.
In reply, a slow and steady start gave way to the regular fall of wickets and it left too much to do for Mark Brazier (39) and Tom Templeton (26). These contributions completed impressive all-round performances having collected 3-17 and 2-29 respectively with the ball. A good effort but in the end the team were dismissed 30 runs short of their target of 135. The 2nd XI will be looking to return to winning ways as they host Boxmoor 2nd XI on Saturday. The visitors are yet to win this season and victory should see Kings move back comfortably in to the top half of the table.
The 3rd XI returned to league action on Saturday and although the match ended in defeat, there were some notable individual performances. Jamie Calvin would have had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first with his new-ball pair of Banner and Owens reunited. And they didn't disappoint. Ashley Banner claimed 4-24 and Matt Owens finished with 3-23 to continue their good form this season. In the end, Royal Herts posted an imposing total of 207 all out in 36 overs and it would prove to be too many for Kings to chase down. In reply, the 3rd XI would eventually fall for 126 in the 38th over but valuable contributions from Jim Harrison (36) and Warwick Smith (31) provided the bedrock of the innings - and should give confidence going into Saturday's game against Edgeware at the Steiner School.
All of the score summaries are attached, alongside the update Top 10 Boards for the season to date.
You can see full scorecards by looking on our website or logging into Play Cricket.
I hope you are able to enjoy the Platinum Jubilee Weekend. You should try to include the cricket in your plans with the 2nd and 3rd teams at home on Saturday and a full set of Junior practice and matches on Sunday. The bar will be open from at least 5 on Saturday (and there will likely be people around who can serve you earlier in the day). It will also be open on Sunday from 12 until the Junior games finish - and the kitchen will be open during Sunday morning training too.
Best wishes
Rich