Final over drama as Horizontals extend winning run

Match Report by Chris Willcock

Another spirited Horizontals performance dragged a boring draw into a dramatic last over victory as a target of 195 was chased down in 37 overs. The win extends the winning streak to 5 games.
Having drawn the previous 2 fixtures againsy these opponents, this again was a timed game and the toss was lost by skipper Willcock; the Horizontals were being to field on the small lower pitch.
Opening bowlers Amit and Webster swapped ends and the Lionel openers showed intent, Jones pulling Amit’s first ball for 4. Amit struck first, bowling Jones for a solid 27 but No.3 Smith continued the impressive start. Webster got some early swing but was unrewarded with his determined opening spell.
The weather was hot and Willcock brought himself on from the near end. He was rewarded with the wicket of opener Southern, well caught behind by recalled keeper Bordin for 18. A wider dog-ball should have been put away, but Speight at No.4 fine edged to Bordin for a duck from the same over.
While Amit took a rest, Winteringham continued his superb form with the ball hitting the handkerchief and dismissed Lionel’s No.5 - again caught behind by Bordin. Horizontals welcomed the debut of 15 year old Raj who replaced Willcock at the near end and very nearly snaffled the valuable wicket of Smith with his third ball. He will hopefully play a few more games for us. It was left to metronome Winteringham who bamboozled Smith, (who had now reached his half century), into missing a delivery that did something - back in the hutch, bowled for an excellent 62.
Webster and Amit swapped to their regular ends and Webster was rewarded with the wicket of No.6 Strout, well caught over his head by a rapidly back-stepping Mike Herlihy.
No more wickets were taken as the Lionels posted 194 for 7, Winteringham the pick of the bowlers 2 wickets, 18 runs from his 8 overs. Both teams were treated to the usual quality fare from the Winchmore Hill kitchen.

We estimated about 37 overs would be available to overhaul the total and an aggressive opening partnership of Amit and Herlihy started well but Amit (11) chopped on chasing a wide one in the 5th over. This was a good start from Lionels with some tight lines bowled by openers Bradshaw and Jones. It looked even better for them when Jones - having travelled from Bristol to play - tempted Bordin to play an attempted square-cut onto his stumps. At 34 for 2 after 10 overs, Lionels were well positioned. However overs 13 to 17 proved fruitful for Porton who showed little respect for Jones, bowling with his floppy hat on, and carved a decent 23 showing trademark quick wrists with backfoot drives on the off-side and a stunning six over mid-on.
Lionels brought on a change at the near end and it was Batling’s right arm off-spin that brought the end of Porton in the 18th over with the score on 75. The momentum was now with the visitors as Burgess and Herlihy posted a 29 run stand for the 4th wicket to keep us in the match.
Burgess timed some sweet pulls and the pair weathered another accurate Lionels bowling change. He departed for a well earnt 14 – caught at square leg.
Winteringham played the crashman role at No.6, entering the fray at over 28. Guided by the ever chipper Herlihy his play exuded some clean hitting, including two impressive sixes and two fours. Winteringham confidently stamped his foot on a rate threatening to enter double figures and brought Horizontals back into the match. At the other end, Herlihy appeared less frustrated than earlier in his innings and was beginning to play his usual game. Lionel skipper Bob brought himself on and both batsmen worked the bowlers effectively to the legside boundary. Winteringham was bowled by Jones (his fourth wicket of the match) and Willcock came in at No.7.
In an attempt to close out the match, the openers were brought back on and both batsmen picked off the bad balls attempting to keep their side in with a chance of victory. The rate hovered around the nine an over mark. Over 33 brought 16 runs, the 35th 11 and Willcock ensured the target was gettable with some sweetly timed fours. Horizontals needed 17 from the final 2 overs to win. The desire to win was clear to see (and hear), from their colleagues and Herlihy (63 n.o) followed suit, timing shots with aplomb and running hard to give the home team a chance.
10 was scored from the penultimate over and Willcock (27 n.o) then secured the victory with two fours, completing a victory by four wickets with three balls remaining from the 37 over allocation.
Exciting stuff indeed. Post match, an angry Lionel could be heard berating their 11th man who failed to show – this was clearly a game both were eager to win. The inclusion of their regular Saffers would have probably pushed the game out of our reach. As it happened, the teams were well balanced resulting in another pulsating, enjoyable game.