Wick dominate to maintain pace at the top.

Staines and Laleham Vs Wick
Singh, Lloyd, Crane, High, Tughral, Copeland, Cameron, Nicholls, Taylorson Parkes, Lown
Wick- 272 for 5 from 39.5 overs, Staines and Laleham 140 all out

Turning up at the Staines ground we were greeted by a pleasant pitch carved out of the larger playing field, a white picket fence, brilliant white sight screens contrasting againsth the grey sky, plenty of outdoor seating next to the bar and a nice bank of grass nets to warm up in (Ahem!).
Sadly we then realised that Staines 1s were playing at home as well and we had been relegated to the wasteland beyond. A sodden, pock marked track, small boundaries local rules at the fence end made the heart sink, and it was less encouraging still that the Staines skipper’s first words were “sorry about the pitch”, as Lloyd called wrong and was asked to bat on said pitch.

Singh and Lloyd opened up for the Wick but Nathan found himself back in the hutch after the 3rd delivery of the game having left the first, cut the second for 4 and been beaten ends up by the 3rd which seamed back at him.
Lloyd and Crane scored slowly but steadily to bring some stability to the ship, Crane eventually bowled by a leg cutter whilst in his 30’s and looking comfortable. High then joined Lloyd with the words “be sensible and you will get big runs today” in his ears accompanied by an amused giggle from Nicholls at the engaged umpires end. The pair put on a stand of 166 for the 3rd wicket(4 shy of an all time Wick record im told) including a monster 122 for High comprising of all 4s and 6’s with a few 1s thrown in for good measure and 67 for Lloyd who was eventually adjudged LBW by Nathan, though there didn’t appear to be an appeal from any of the fielders.
Zohak made a good return to the 3’s smashing the ball about until he ran Charlie out at the death, but Harry and Zo finished off the innings in the 39th over with the score on 272.

Teas- Lots to live up to following the acclaim provided last week by the 2’s and I can safely say that Hibby was right for a change!
Variety is the spice of life and there was more spice that a spice factory on show here. Roast beef and horseradish, sausage with BBQ sauce, roast chicken, ham and cheese salad. Then there was fruit and the declaration that Watermelon should form the basis of any good tea.- 8

With 56 over to chase our score we anticipated the Staines boys would have a go and they did thankfully. Indeed the short boundaries and some opportune edges from the one opener meant they were on the run rate for the first 10 overs. Lownsy and Jimmy C toiled away without much fortune until Jimmy got one opener (not the fortunate one) to play on and manage to take stump shaving off the other one without rattling the bails.

Changes were rung and Taylorson and Parkes came into the attack but both struggled for consistency in windy conditions though Parkes did account for the tricky number 3 getting him to loft one to Lowns at midwicket.
Chairman Mao and Crane came into the attack and Keith took the fortunate one with his second over getting him to edge (again) one to Zohak at backward point and the rot started.
Cranesy’s despatched 2 in his 3rd over and a further one for a duck in the next to rip out the middle order including their big hitting opening bowler to finish with 5-2- 8- 3 and Keith did the biz at the other end by teasing the tail into a series of loose shots and sending the bails flying.
Mention should be made of Tun- Up’s catch, plucked off his shoelaces at short fine leg off Keith’s bowling. The bat couldn’t believe it and neither could the Wick as it saved him from TFC. A taller man would have dropped it. Fact

20 points and a good win by a margin puts us in good stead for the big one next week. Thames Ditton, who lost to OT’s on Sat will be a good test for us, but its a game we need to win in order to be a promotion contender.

TFC- Nathan- 4 runs, dropped catch.

MOM- Tough call with a 120 a maiden 67 and a 4-for in the side but probably Crane- Decent batting and good bowling.