One week in and it wasn't quite the start we wanted but a great game of cricket nonetheless and some huge positives to take away.
Exponents of the win/lose format will also argue this is exactly why 45 over cricket is the way forward. Perhaps if the draw was on offer Roffey would have shut up shop. That's an argument for another day!
Stand-in skipper Jake Hodgson lost the toss and Chilt found themselves batting. A solid start from A.Reeves Jnr and Morne laid the foundations for an excellent 220-8 total. Morne hit 40 on league debut and a seriously impressive middle order partnership from youngsters Lucking (60) and Theo TC (36) who put on 99 for the fifth wicket, took us from 84-4 to a defendable total. Late wickets fell as we looked to push on. Cameos from Josh Reeves (15*), Jake (11*) got us up to 220. For Roffey Sam Henderson took a mighty impressive 5-43.
An extended tea was taken as heavy rain passed through but once back Roffey started confidently before two Rueben Taylor wickets kept Roffey in check. Hugh bowled relatively tightly picking up one wicket before rain delayed preceedings again after which a combination of Lucking and Howgate turned the screw and the required run-rate was growing. A Howgate run-out had Roffey teetering at 113-5. When James bowled Rivers Roffey were 134-6 needing about 7 per over. This was to rise to 9 an over at one stage but depsite a couple more wickets including a suicidal run-out (Taylor) the tail wagged and generally batted very sensibly to take the game to the final over where a 9th wicket partnership of 34 got them over the line with four balls spare. Again Sam Henderson playing a pivitol role scoring 17 not out at number 10. A bright future lies ahead surely for this youngster.
Overall a thrilling game with a number of excellent performances on both sides. Chilt 14pts, Roffey 28 and we move on to Littlehampton, Clapham and Patching at home next week.
