Addiscombe 4s beat Trinity Mid-Whits

Trinity Mid-Whits won the toss and put Addiscombe into bat. The ‘old firm’ of Stephen Hasler and Jon Kuhrt opened and, similar to last week, put on a solid opening stand of 50+. Hasler again did a great job of blunting the opening attack and had moved positively to 19 before he was LBW missing a full-bunger. Farooq came in at 3 was bowled second ball trying to hit the ball over the pavilion and Adam Stevens came in at 4. Adam immediately looked positive, running well with the skipper and hitting some great shots with his 'long levers'. At drinks, we were well set at 90-odd for 2. Immediately after the break, the skipper fell in the 40s for the 3rd time this season to one that nipped away and took his off stump.

Brandon and young Aaryan did not hang around too long but Martin came in and again batted sensibly. Adam was bowled for an excellent 37 where he showed his big potential as batsman. Our wickets continued to fall though as Aaron fell cheaply and then Monty was out late cutting his own stumps and breaking a bail in the process! There were concerns that we not reach 150, but young colt Tom came out to bat with Martin and showed just what we needed tail-enders to do. Although he only scored 2, he put on 18 priceless runs with Martin before being run out diving to get home in the last over. Martin ended 17 not out and we batted our 45 overs for 166 runs.

Brandon had pulled a hamstring batting and could not move so we were fortunate that Jack Stone was watching and volunteered to go and get his kit to field as a sub. Adam and Aaryan opened the bowling and both did well – but OMW openers looked good players and immediately got the score board moving. Adam got a good LBW which brought former CPFC legend Steve Kember into bat. A spritely bit of fielding from the skipper with a direct hit ran him out for a duck and we had TMW on the back-foot.

The Kuhrt brothers. Danny and Tom, were a double bowling change and Danny immediately bowled their opener who was looking decent on 29. Danny picked up a further 2 wickets and ended with 3-20 off his 6 overs. Tom bowled a tight line and went for just 2 an over. Wickets continued to fall but TMW’s skipper held them together and they stayed in the game. Tom managed to bowl the skipper for 27 in his last over which was a key moment and ended his spell with 9 overs, 2 for 21. Farooq picked up a wicket with a very good catch by Jack and Adam came back on to finish his spell ending with 1-33 off 9. Aaron bowled 6 overs and only conceded 20 runs which was a good effort.

Even with 8 down TMW looked threatening and some of our fielding became ragged with 2 catches dropped and a number of errors in the field as they edged nearer our total. Monty came on and bowled a tight line but they needed just 25 runs to win off 5 overs with 2 wickets left. The skipper brought himself on and their dangerous number 9 missed a low full-toss (the bowler claimed it was a yorker) and they were 9 down. A crazy effort to run 2 to Jack next ball meant we got a run out and won the game.

Well played everyone! Big thanks to Gavin Mander who did a great job umpiring what at times was a tricky atmosphere. I was really pleased to see the Addiscombe team maintain the right spirit throughout.

So, with three wins in three for the 4s at Addington, the big question is that without Sue Maguire’s excellent teas how we will we do in the away games? Next week we are at top of the table Sutton.