On a warm Sunday afternoon Chesterfords traveled to the picturesque ground of Great Canfield where both teams contributed in a tight exciting match.

Canfield won the toss and decided to bat on a flat hard wicket with their opening pair being put under pressure from ball one, with a good probing spell from opening bowlers Wazz Mughal (0 for 9 off 6 overs) and Mark Stokley (1 for 12 off 8 overs) restricted Canfield to 20 runs of the first 10 overs. With two wickets down and the runs drying up Jamie Halls (67 no) came to the crease and turned the innings around with some solid shots and lusty blows. Shaun Stokley (0 for 24 off 4 overs) and young Richard Taylor (1 for 25 off 5 overs) bowled well to an inform batsman. With 20 overs gone Canfield were 60-2 and looking in a good position until Chesterfords introduced there spinners Walter Jackson (4 for 39 0ff 8) and Adam Laird (0 for 32 0ff 4). Jackson bowled with control and put the batsman under real pressure with a classy display of spin bowling, who was well supported by young leg spinner Laird. With wickets falling due to good bowling and excellent fielding especially from debutant Rob Paskins, Chesterfords restricted their opponents to 188-7 off their 40 overs.

Chesterfords began their chase with opener Wazz Mughal (22) back to his best in characteristic aggressive mood smashing the ball to all parts racing the score onto 33 off the first 5 overs. Mughal’s opening partner Liam Woodcock (44 no) was the backbone of the innings showing maturity beyond his years with a fantastic knock scoring runs all round the park. Canfield took the vital wicket of Mughal, which brought James Pullen (22) to the crease who played some typically textbook strokes and moved the score onto 60-1 off 12. Chesterfords then lost 2 quick wickets Pullen and Captain Paul Phillips (15), which brought young Rob Paskins and the ever present Woodcock together. Paskins (18) showed no debut nerves with an excellent knock supporting the inform Woodcock. With 25 overs gone and a few wickets falling the game was evenly poised with Chesterfords 130-7. Woodcock was joined at the crease by Walter Jackson (30 no) who turned the game in Chesterfords favour with some huge boundaries in quick succession which aloud Chesterfords to reach their target with 7 overs remaining. With an excellent fielding performance backed up with a solid batting display Chesterfords just deserved to win a tight entertaining game.

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