On a roasting afternoon at the Heath the weather and a good looking wicket meant that Matching 1st XI decided to bat, having won the toss. Graeme Bowerman and Joel Moscow opened the batting for the Green and Taylor and Nandi opened the bowling for the Heath.
Matching saw off the openers and Saji George was brought into the attack with Michael Collins. It was not long before Moscow was out caught in the covers off Saji George for a well made 31. Collin's then had a double strike as he clean bowled Jack Scantlebury for 2 and then had the prolific Dan Sibley caught at slip for 8. Simon Hartnell then came and went caught behind off Saji George for just 3 and Matching were wobbling a bit at 90 for 4.
In strolled Jason Green and he batted superbly timing the ball well almost from ball one. He and Bowerman who was steadily scoring at the other end put on 90 before Green was bowled by Raji George for a classy 55. Bowerman kept going. Mark Keefe came to the wicket and scored a run a ball 21 before being bowled again by Raji. Collins ended with 3-49, Saji George 2-40 and Raji George 2-53. At the other end Bowerman carried his bat for an agonising 98 not out, it proved to be a very important innings.
Matching ended on 254-8 a score that should be enough if they bowled well but it is a fast scoring ground.
The Heath opened with Raji George and Chris Wearden. Matching opened their bowling with Jason Green and Jonny Taylor. Taylor soon had the normally reliable Rearden caught at mid on attempting a hook off a bouncer for just 4. Welby, another difficult man to get out, was then superbly run out by 14 year old Max Hunt for just 1.
Paul Dawson was brought in to the attack and soon had Collins caught for 18 and then ground down Saji George, bowling him for just 5. Raji George was still going at the other end. The introduction of Simon Hartnell brought the prize wicket of Raji George for 62 and Mattison and Alex Welby. Max Hunt came on and took his first ever division one wicket and Dan Sibley took the last two wickets.
Hatfield Heath were all out for 140. Hartnell 3-43, Dawson 2-34 and Sibley 2-0 were the main wicket takers.
With Nazeing winning again Matching are still clear by 39 points, now with just 5 games to go.
The 2nd XI batted, bowled and fielded poorly against a weakened Hockerill 2nd XI. Only Sam Figg with a hard earned 42 and Steve Byford (23) batted with any confidence and the total of 162 looked like it would be tough to defend.
And so it proved. Despite reasonable opening spells from Roosey, Joe Scanlon and Luke Withers and 6 good overs of spin from Jed Scanlon, Hockerill had little difficulty in reaching their target loosing just 4 wickets. The 2nd XI remain 6th in Division 4.
Hopefully a rest after a very warm cricket week will help gather the players and they will rediscover some form next week away to our friends at Stansted 2nd XI.