Battling to their 5th victory of the campaign, SCECC moved a step closer towards top spot in Division Three, now just 5 points behind leaders Open University, with a gutsy victory over Caddington.
Keeping exactly the same side for the past four games, captain Stuart Hardwick is already steering Church End to a big League total with the club's 4th win in 5 games, netting a massive 130 points over that period.
Travelling to an out of form Caddington, where the club staged a superb victory two years ago chasing a score of 260+, the home team chose to bat first. An experienced batting line-up formed a solid base, Duncan Murray bagged 34, with Dale Skeath (29) and Paul Harris (27) forming over half their runs in the innings of 167 all out.
A larger run total was however stunted by Shenley's top spin bowler Graham Teagle. He managed his second career 5 wicket haul, taking 5-45 from 9 overs, amassing 23 wickets from all Shenley games in 2007 and is still a leader wicket taker in Division Three.
Caddington gifted 2 overs to the away side, making it less than 4 an over to gain 168. Andy Peacock (40) and Homer Evans made a typical solid start, before formidable partnership Colin Wayman and Anton DeBeer made the crease together. Wayman dominated the crease time before being caught, Stuart Burke went LBW minutes later and Richard Fletcher fell on 17, toe-ending the ball onto his stumps.
Luckily, DeBeer had survived some pressurising Caddington bowling - including a near miss on his off stump - to launch a massive six over long off to revive the run rate. He stayed on the strip to bag another half century and clear the required total of 168 with more than 10 overs to spare.
The calm manner of the victory was pleasing, keeping cool in chasing what is a tricky total on a slightly wet pitch. In fact, with only 2 games completed in Division Three, weather has fortuitously shone on Shenley. Top of the table clash with Open University next week - weather permitting!
Team: Andy Peacock, Homer Evans, Colin Wayman, Anton DeBeer, Stuart Burke, Richard Fletcher, Stuart Hardwick (c), Graham Teagle, Steve Palmer (wk), Jay Fletcher, Jon Pennells.