Bexleyheath 3rd XI v Oakfield Warriors 1st XI. Saturday 6 July

After a narrow loss last week to top of the table rivals Blackheath in a bad tempered game, the Heath team returned to the Gas determined to put right the wrongs of last week and get their promotion push back on track with their cricket doing the talking.

With selection tricky, a much changed side stepped out on to the Gas’s exquisite outfield with regular 3s players looking to repay the faith in the skips continued selection and those supporting from the 4s determined to show why they should get a crack at the team.

With Skipper Con winning the toss, a change of tack was employed with the skip opting to bowl.

With the opening pair of Sam and Shuk recruited for 2s duty, the new ball pair were duly changed.

With Woodsy still reminding us of his wickets to runs ratio in the league this year, the skip threw him the new ball and a fired up Woods kicked the game off. It took only 2 balls for Woods to improve that ratio as a swinging delivery knocked the Warrior openers leg stump over for the perfect start.

At the other end, Frizzers was passed the new ball by skip. Setting out to emulate the opening over, in the blink of an eye he’d done just that. Firstly by knocking over the other openers pegs for a duck and two balls later the number 4 with a lovely tempter outside off stumped, nicked and into the waiting Archies gloves.

With the score 4-3 after 2 overs the Warriors middle order looked to settle in and rebuild but only 5 overs later, the still fired up Woods sent down a well directed bumper at their No.3 who could only direct it off his gloves into the skips hand at a wide 2nd slip.

With the Warriors needing another rebuilding job, the blades of their middle order still flashed as quick runs were added however a patient Frizzers soon stopped that with good lines and lengths, knocking over their No.6 and leaving the score 44-5

With the opposition floundering, the big hitter was sent in with the soul aim of sending every delivery hide wide and handsome however only 2 of the next dozen or so deliveries he faced made their destination. One too many big heaves was sent high into the sky with Neil running in from the long off boundary to take the catch to give Barkway his first of the afternoon.

With the oppo 6 down for only 65 the skip was determined that the Heath were not going to let the oppo wriggle off the hook and eek out another 50 useful runs. The bowlers duly listened as tight spells from the unlucky Dowlers and Barkway saw the latter taking 3 quick wickets in a very tidy 5 overs going for only 10 runs with 4 dismissals.

Jonker replaced the unlucky Dowlers and took the last wicket in his second over to finish the Oakfield innings at 81. The last 4 wickets fell for 16 runs and the innings complete in 25.1 overs.

Despite a number of catches going down, it was a great effort from the team with the Heath needing 82 from 54 overs and a full batting order.

Despite the run chase sounding like the last day of a test match between India and Bangladesh, it’s fair to say the 3s batting unit has been missing in action recently and the chase was a perfect opportunity for the top order to have some much needed game middle time without the added pressures.

With Neil and Mitch opening the order, the two set out to be watchful against the new ball but positive where needed to get the Heaths reply to a good start.

The Oakfield opening bowlers were determined not to make it easy for the Heath and a mix of swing, seam, pace and well directed bumpers meant the pair had to dig in to advance the reply to 28 before a ripper pitched outside Mitch’s leg stump and seamed to take the top of off with Mitch departing for 8.

With George Gann earning a much deserved call up, he joined Neil to create a full left handed attack but just 3 balls later trying to pull a short one, dragged it down on to the stumps via the gloves for 2

With recent history suggesting a Heath collapse was on the horizon, Archie joined Neil in the middle with the aim to be patient, watchful and knock the ball around till drinks.

The pair stuck by their plan and at the 20 over break had ticked the score over to 52, just 30 short of the target.

Refreshed, the cold drink must have gone to Neil’s head as first ball of the 21st over he almost guided a short wide loose one into gully’s diving hands.

With the score at 57, Archie’s patience ran out and a skewed drive was taken in the covers. Arch departed for a watchful 12 leaving the Heath 3 down needing only 25 to win.

With overs not an issue, cool heads were needed to steer the Heath ship home. As Jonks came to the crease, the watching crowd were no doubt hoping to see a quick fire finish from the big all-rounder.

A few big hits later and with victory in sight, their wish was coming true but just as swift, Jonks guided one into covers hands and the big man was back in the pavilion for 9.

With Village joining Neil, the order of the day returned to watchful batting and extinguishing the faint hopes of an Oakfield fight back.

That watchful approach saw the Heath to a 6 wicket victory in the 31st over with Village ending up on 5 not out and Neil carrying his bat to 35 Not Out from a patient if not entertaining innings.

The Heath take the points from a low scoring but eventful game with good bowling on both sides. The Heath bowling unit were once again excellent.

The Heath continue their promotion push next week away to Dartford with the skip no doubt presented with further selection headaches.

Well played all.

Man of the match and match report by Neil Alsemgeest for seeing off the openers and seeing us to victory with a calm and collected 35 not out.