After defeat at Whitchurch the previous day, Shenley's Sunday team - a man short - took to the field away at Winslow Town in what turned out to be an epic battle. Excellent bowling from Spencer Davies, Graham Teagle and Rob Hatcher ensured a captiviating 5 run victory in an extremely even contest against a young Town side.
Having only 10 men and a weak side meant some heroic performances were needed by all, and even the sight of 5 or 6 talented youngsters in the Winslow side didn't put a weaker Shenley side off. Indeed, giving maximum respect to the opposition proved vital as a possible defeat before the game turned out to be much different!
Simon Sidwell lost the toss and Shenley were unsurprisingly put into bat. Andy Peacock and Stuart Burke were the only recognised out and out batsmen, returning the compliment with an opening stand of 61. Despite the pitch being cut moments before play started, the swift strip offered something for both batsmen and bowler, and a restriction in run flow saw Burke (32) bowled, and Anthony Brace soon following.
This led to Peacock and 4th batsmen Sidwell to form a partnership with weaker batting to come later on. Notable accurate bowling from Winslow's youngsters continued to put pressure on, especially with 107 scored from 30 overs. Shenley over ever punishing the bad ball. Peacock showed his experience to push past his 50 and end on 61, caught out.
Unluckily, Spencer Davies holed out with a cracking lofted straight drive to long on, which bought Graham Teagle to the crease. He hit a huge 6 and 4 in successive balls, ably assisted by Sidwell's steady run scoring to bring the innings to a respectable end, posting 160-4. Teagle finishing on 13 and Sidwell notching a solid 32no.
Shenley were initially deeming themselves weak on bowling, but 3 guys stepped up to the plate to record great bowling performances. Sidwell and Jay Fletcher couldn't make the breakthrough so handed to Chris Peacock and Graham Teagle, who initially went 22 balls between them without a run scored. Teagle pounced the first wicket, Sidwell catching at log off. Peacock came off early due to shoulder problems (and a bad over conceding 12) being replaced by Rob Hatcher, only his 2nd game.
It was soon clear that the kids of Winslow were technically good, and with Teagle ending with ridiculous figures of 8-6-3-2, rookie Davies came on to tandem with rookie Hatcher - both were bowling significantly well - as they had to - as wickets star to fall. Soon it was 99-5 with 10 overs remaining when the drama started.
Knowing that experienced batsmen Fenton Price was due in at number 10, Winslow sped up the scoring, the young G Wise took it upon himself to coax his young partner into running every ball ensuring great cricket from 6 overs out and nearly 40 to win. This suited Shenley, although hashing many attempts at a run-out, they knew a run a ball was sufficient to win.
But a balancing act had to be struck with a FCCL Division One batsmen still left. Hatcher's great spell finished with 1-29 and Fletcher continued (running in off 6 steps). 36 to win off 5 overs came down to 30 from 4, then Davies struck twice in quick succession - bowling one player and producing a sensational catch from Fletcher to claim wickets 3 and 4 and end with 4-26.
This was a double edged sword though - Price was in, and immediately the scoring increased to leave 22 from 2 and then 14 from the final over - still an achievable target. Sidwell took the final over to soak up pressure, but a poor ball gave away 4 byes and left 8 to win from 3 balls. Price then smacked the ball straight back into Sidwell hands (who made sure by whipping off the non-strikers end bails) to effectively seal the game, youngster Wise only claiming 3 off the final two balls.
A fantastic win for Shenley without a doubt, with every player making a significant contribution with bat, ball or field, all of this with a man short. One of the worst games - followed by one of the best game, will certainly make this a weekend they won't forget in a hurry!
Condition: Outfield dry. Strip hard and newly cut
Catches dropped: 1 (Rob)
Toss: Lost and batted.
Team: Andy Peacock, Stuart Burke, Anthony Brace, Simon Sidwell (c), Spencer Davies, Graham Teagle, Jay Fletcher, Mike Camwell, Chris Peacock, Rob Hatcher.