Addiscombe seal win to end season on a high

This was a big game. Purley are much improved and two positions above us in the league. We were put into bat but lost Sumith in the first over. Nikhil batted sensibly with Jamie batting as positively ever, our runs started to build. Jamie got bowled without looking in any trouble and Tom K came in, promoted to number 4 after looking good in the nets. Tom immediately pulled the ball hard, hitting many fours on the fast outfield and the pressure started to build on Purley as he and Nikhil put on over 50 in good time.

Tom then got caught for 28. Callum, then Danny K, carried on with some good hits and, after Nikhil retired on 30, Ghalib showed his potential with a good 10. We ended on 132, which was probably 15 runs short of what we should have, but a total we could defend.

Mann and Aden opened the bowling but Purley's batsman looked good. Mann produced a beauty to bowl their promising opener and Aden bowled as tight as ever. But we bowled too many wides and looked a bit ragged in the field. We dropped their best batsman and it proved costly. Sumith and Tom bowled well but bad balls were punished and the scoring rate sped along. Danny K brought himself on and immediately got a double wicket maiden and from here we started to pull things back. Nikhil came on and bowled a mean length and line and got 3 cheap wickets for only 3 runs.

With their best player coming back in at the loss of their 8th wicket (they only had 10 players) they had their best two batsman at the crease and only 20 runs needed. Danny threw the ball to little brother Tom to twirl some leg-breaks having been hit around in his first 3 overs. But Tom did not disappoint - he got a wicket with his first ball and then got out their best batsman next ball with a great catch by Mann to win the game.

A great way to end the season - Nikhil was Man of the Match for his great 30 not out, tight bowling and superb fielding.

Thanks especially to Vinay Malotra who has been such a dedicated scorer and Gavin Mander for being such a motivational Assistant Manager. And thanks to all the parents for getting your kids to the matches on time!

Roll on 2017!