Always a keenly contested fixture in previous years, this game was to be no different with both sides containing a generous if somewhat aging representative sprinkling.
This was to be my first ever game as Captain and I was under strict orders to win at all cost. Quietly confident I arrived one hour early but only because of the mistaken start time, and proceeded to lose the toss.
Within three avers Flaxton were on the back foot 13/2, Hamish Wright and Roddy Fulton both in the Pavilion after being bowled by the evergreen Sir Richard Hadlee.
Fortune would turn Flaxton’s way however, with the arrival of Chris Flanagan who belted our bowlers with monotonous regularity to all parts of the boundary before the compulsory retirement on achieving his century.
Flanagan was ably supported by his batting partners, but none more thanTim Andrews who hammered an unbeaten 43 including a massive 6 over the hedge at long off onto the road. lt was the biggest hit seen at The Willows ground – I was not happy! Brian McKechnie was the best support bowler to RJH with 1/44 from his 10 overs.
The target set 252 seemed achievable and a steady if unspectacular run chase began.
At 78/5 our target seemed a distant one; however, a delightful partnership of 106 betweenMarkWeeds and Sir Richard Hadlee gave us a look in.
In the end it was 22 runs too many and Roger Sowden’s bowling figures of 4/38 from 10 overs was the difference.We are looking forward to the return match later in the season.