Toss won by Walthamstow who chose to bat
Walthamstow 314/9 (50 overs)
Old Southendian & Southchurch 234 (42 overs)
Walthamstow won by 80 runs
It was a lovely summers day in Southend-on-Sea so I whacked on the factor 15, put on my cap, and headed over to Southchurch Park for some Essex League Cricket as Old Southendian & Southchurch hosted Walthamstow. I was hoping they would have more luck than they did the last time I visited two weeks ago when they lost having conceded 300 runs in their bowling innings.
The toss saw Walthamstow win it and choose to bat on what seemed to be ideal batting conditions so the decision wasn't surprising at all. As the boys came out to field Chris Bunce asked me to take a photo of him with his two sons. They were all playing in the first team together for the first time so here is that photo of Chris with his two sons Michael and James which I'm sure was a proud moment for them and their family
After all those pre match things were out of the way we got on with the game and it seemed that Walthamstow's decision to bat first looked to be backfiring somewhat as they lost a wicket in the first over and then were four down inside the first fifteen overs of their innings thanks to some decent bowling from the hosts.
The visitors managed a recovery of sorts to get to 111/4 at the half way stage but then lost two more wickets to see themselves 159/6 with eighteen overs left so looked likely to struggle to make a par score on this pitch. However some amazing lower order hitting, albeit with some luck along the way, saw them almost double their score as the hosts wilted in the field and Walthamstow posted a formidable 314/9 in their 50 overs.
I couldn't believe it. Even Chris and some of the players said to me I was a jinx as both times I had come to watch them they had conceded over 300!! I could see their point but the hosts had a monumental task of chasing 315 down to win this game. But this is sport so you never know what can happen.
After I had popped to the seafront for some chicken nuggets and chips I popped back just as the hosts were beginning their charge in pursuit of the enormous total set by Walthamstow and things didn't start well as they lost an early wicket to find themselves on 26/1 after five overs. Things went from bad to worse as they lost more wickets and half way through their innings were 133/5 although this was better than what the visitors were at the same stage.
The hosts moved onto 202/7 with fifteen overs left needing another 113 from 90 balls which in T20 format would be fairly easy by all accounts. The problem Old Southendian had was they only had three wickets in hand so this made the task more difficult. Sadly for the hosts they found it too difficult and were bowled out for 234 at the end of the 42nd over, the final wicket being a terrible run out off what was the seventh ball of the over as the umpire had miscounted the number of ball bowled, kinda summing up the hosts luck.
So a decent win for the East London boys. Chris did get me a beer in the bar afterwards so maybe they will let me come back again!!! An enjoyable day in the sun watching cricket though and hopefully Old Southendian & Southchurch can win the next time I see them play, hopefully.
