With only three points separating the sides at the start of play Chesterfords visited Epping Forrester’s on Saturday knowing that a win would place them firmly at the top of Division 3. With both sides showing strong form throughout the season this game was billed as a title decider. Chesterfords won the all important toss and decided to bat on a hard flat track. The opening pair of J.Lipscombe and P.Phillips made a steady start against the fast accurate bowling of R.Petchey and M.Quant. Some very good bowling restrained Chesterfords openers to only 16 runs off of 10 overs, but against the hostile, aggressive bowling of Quant and Petchey the most important thing was Chesterfords saw the new ball and the opening pair off with wickets in hand.

P.Phillips fell in the 11^th over for 6 to Quant who bowled a perfect Yorker length delivery that sent the off stump cart wheeling behind the batsmen. Lipscombe was then joined by L.Claydon 13, who was looking in good touch until he guided a square cut in to the hands of point who dually accepted the gift of an opportunity. Chesterfords now found themselves on 55 for 2 in the 18^th over realising that it was time to start accelerating the run rate. P.Robson joined Lipscombe at the crease and in his first League game of the season proved that he has the ability to score freely at this level. Robson took the game to the opposition with some superb shot selection and timing that saw the ball careering to the boundary on numerous occasions. He was finally undone by a shot that he simply mistimed that sent the ball spiralling up in the air that offered a chance to Epping that they took. P.Robson finished on 39 and looked as if he could offer a lot more in the future.

 J.Lipscombe was anchoring the innings at the other end until he was undone by a full length ball that caught the edge of the bat flying to second slip who took a very good catch diving to his left that sent Lipscombe back to the pavilion for a defiant 24. Chesterfords middle order showed real dogged determination with D. Lightning (31) and W.Mughal (22) both batting well taking the scoring opportunities when they arose. D.Lightning and D.Perring batted extremely well together and really began to push the score on. D.Perring expressed the maturity of his batting by placing the fielders under great pressure with some good calling and well placed shots. He was looking well set for his 50 until Quant came back on and clean bowled him for 45. Chesterfords run rate had increased dramatically thanks to the middle order and with some good bowling at the end from Quant, 9 overs 4 wickets for 19 runs Chesterfords scored a very competitive total of 224 in the stifling heat.

Chesterfords felt that they had put themselves in a strong position to win the game on a pitch that was becoming slower and slower. After the destructive performance that Petchey put on in the game earlier in the season Chesterfords were fully aware that he was the key for Epping. J.Lipscombe and A.Stokley opened the bowling and bowled well for the first few overs with Stokley taking the wicket of Andrews trapping him LBW in front of all three stumps. Petchey at the other end was beginning to look dangerous when he smashed the ball back in the air to the off balance Lipscombe, which he didn’t quite react fast enough too. Lipscombe created another opportunity a few balls later with a slower ball that Petchey didn’t pick which sent the ball flying up in the air towards deep mid wicket. The fielder didn’t pick it up at first and the opportunity eventually fell just short as the fielder dived to take the catch. Petchey then set about the Chesterfords bowlers dispatching them with consummate ease. The bowling wasn’t that bad it was just Petchey now had his eye in and was hitting anything and everything he could. Petchey raced the Epping score onto 120 off of 15 overs when probably the best opportunity to take his wicket arose. Lipscombe bowled Petchey a slower ball that he read this time but played a little late causing the ball to be hit hard straight at mid on who spilled the easiest of chances. Chesterfords could feel the title slipping through their fingers with every dropped opportunity. Petchey continued to smash the ball to all areas of the ground until he was eventually caught by L.Claydon for 125. Petchey was well backed up at the other end by O.Jina who scored 57 and he saw Epping home with 7 wickets in hand. A very dejected Chesterfords left the field proving that catches really do win matches.