Following the deluge of the previous day and evening most players were shocked that a game was possible to go ahead. Birchanger's covers saved the day , maybe something that should be compulsory in the top Division.

It was breezy and cool , Matching won the toss and had no hesitation putting Birchanger in to bat. The wicket played really well and had a decent carry. Ben White and Justin Bass opened the batting and the latter was soon out LBW for 5 to a lovely away swinger from his namesake Charlie Bass.

The introduction of Simon Wasley, who bowled some quite sharp deliveries, unsettled Birchanger as he took 3 quick wickets including White who had looked well set. After the departure of White for 32  the normally reliable Elliot Sellears also departed for just 4. Ross Leavers then came to the crease and he and Parker put together a decent partnership before Parker was caught by Jason Green off Paul Dawson for a quick paced 59. Leavers continued to attack before he fell for 55 .

Matching kept at it and eventually bowled Birchanger out for what appeared to be a below par total of 218 in the last of the 45 overs. Wasley 3-39 , Dawson 3-50 and Green 2-29 returned the best figures for the Green.

Matching opened up with Graeme Bowerman and Jed Scanlon. Bowerman was undone by a beauty from the impressive youngster J. Crowe for 7. This brought Jack Scantlebury to the crease . He and Scanlon then put on 131 at a run a ball before Scanlon fell to another good ball this time from Parker for 37.

Simon Hartnell came to the crease and looked very determined to be there at the end, which he was. Scantlebury completed a superb century and was still there at the end when Matching passed the Birchanger score with just over 6 overs to spare. Scantlebury made a superb 119 not out and Hartnell a very solid and mature 36 not out .

With Nazeing losing to Stansted, Matching Green increase their lead at the top to 39 points (from 20), but there is still a lot of cricket to be played in this League yet.