On an overcast and cool day rain was expected and depending on which forecast you looked at it could be a game wrecker.
Matching sadly lost the toss and Mark Graves put Matching in to bat on a lovely wicket with a tinge of green on it. Graeme Bowerman had no obvious opening partner so Matty Taylor who had batted well on Sundays was dragged up to open with him. It seemed to be an inspired choice as Taylor was off the mark with back to back boundaries. Bowerman looked at ease before edging one behind to the superb M.Welby for 13 off the bowling of D.Nandi. Matching were 32 for 1 off 7 overs. This brought Jason Green to the wicket and he and Taylor were in sync straight away with Taylor eventually out for an impressive 61 in the 21st over, he and Green had added 81 for the second wicket in just 14 overs.
Dan Sibley hit a 6 then a 4 before being out 3rd ball for 10! Simon Hartnell joined the frey and he and Green batted superbly together as they often do, this time breaking the Matching club record for the 4th wicket, both hitting the ball to all parts of the ground knocking tiles off the pavilion and nearly killing the swans and newly born signets! They put on an incredible 193 in just 18 overs with Green eventually being caught at deep square leg for a superb 130 a magnificent innings.
Hartnell toiled away and hit the last ball for a one bounce four to end on an agonising 99 not out, with Matching on an almost uncatchable 346-6. 125 runs had been scored off the last 10 overs ! C.Wearden had the best figures for Hatfield Heath with 2-62 off 8 overs.
Hatfield Heath had it all to do but with rain in the air there was more than one result in the offing. Jason Green then opened the bowling with James Roos. Green soon bowled Wearden for 0 and Roos had M.Welby lbw for 1. Green then had the ever aggressive Raji George caught for 18. Michael Collins then came to the wicket and offered some stability. With the wicket a bit juicy and the outfield damp Matty Taylor was brought on and soon bowled Chadman and A.Welby.
With the weather failing Paul Dawson and Simon Hartnell were brought on to try and nick a few wickets but also to get some quick overs through as by now the only way Mathcing would not win was by the rain coming.
The overs were coming thick and fast and Dawson then bowled Collins (30) and had Nandi lbw in quick succession. Hartnell had Mark Graves caught by Green and that was that.
The rain never came but it had always loomed all day. Hatfield Heath were all out for just 89 giving Matching a 257 run win. Green 3-33, Taylor 2-17 and Dawson 2-21 were the most successful bowlers but all had bowled well. Matching are now 4 from 4, with Nazeing Common the only other side unbeaten at this stage.
Matching travel to Stansted on Saturday which is always a well contested match.