Sunday Friendly Ends in Battling Defeat

Archway Ladders, victors at OEs in 2015, returned for another friendly fixture. They took the unsurprising decision to bat in the Sunday sunshine, much to the displeasure of the OEs fielders. Harry Mullineaux Saunders and George Whitebread opened the bowling impressively, picking up 2 early wickets apiece. OEs control on the game tightened further when Zach Scott was introduced into the attack. He bowled an outstanding spell, combining pace and accuracy to excellent effect. He took 4 wickets in only six overs, leaving the innings in seeming disarray. Unfortunately, the boys had failed to remove a potent nemesis. Having scored 80* on his previous visit to Gypsy Lane, captain Faizel Patel settled in again. He kept his calm whilst wickets fell around him before deciding to let loose. He battered 148* with a huge range of strokes around the ground, seemingly unaffected by the positioning of fielders. The boys stuck to the task well, staying positive and alert, but the final score still reached 250.

The batsman started off in hugely positive fashion. Kirit and Nayaan (on debut for the club) regularly peppered the boundary in the opening overs. The removal of Nayaan brought Simmo to the crease. He was able to follow up his runs on Saturday with another attacking knock, spreading unease amongst a field that must have been confident of the score they were defending. 50s for both Kirit and Simmo meant that OEs were up with the scoring rate as drinks were taken. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the middle order, the run rate proved to be unsustainable. However, to finish on a score above 210 in 40 overs was an excellent effort from everybody involved who stayed positive in the face of an imposing total. The side travel to Breachwood Green for a league fixture this weekend.