Charlie takes seven after the tail wagged.

It's not often that the toss of a coin seems crucial to the outcome of the afternoon. A wet week left a green pitch and not the usual Boughton Hall runway. Of course when it mattered, Dan Riley lost the toss. Batters with heads in hands as the young Hyde side chose to bowl. But Chester have a long batting line-up and Hyde have not won many games so there was still a feeling of positivity with the general consensus being that 150 would be a good score.
Matthew Griffiths and Nick James are surely as commanding an opening pair as there is in the league but this wicket got the measure of them and Charlie Hewitt took a wicket in each of his first 3 overs with top 3 back in the shed. In truth it was doing all sorts. Geoffery Boycott in his pomp would have struggled. The ball swung then moved off the seem. Griff got a snorter which popped and he gloved it. Ian Metcalf was hastily promoted to try and take the sting out of the attack and he looked as at home as ever easing his first ball past backward point for 2. Ian then missed a bouncer which hit him on the nose. Lots of blood and retired hurt. Always wear a helmet kids!
At this stage Chester were effectively 41 for 5 with Dilruk Yahathugoda on debut and Charlie Fleet up the order to take the sting out of things. They patiently watched and blocked the ball before Dil (29) managed to find the fence before skying one. 75 for 6 and the skipper in with Wiggy. Neither of them known for digging in and Hyde smelling blood. On reflection this was one of the key points of the game. Chester needed to eek out every run and show some character in doing so. They set to their task with a juicy full-toss for Dan to dispatch for 6 to get away. The spinners were turning the ball square and exacting excessive bounce but both were watchful until Wiggy (22) chipped one. 101 for 7. Sam Mallows strode out a number ten to begin the biggest partnership of the Chester innings. The pair put on 54 by striking selectively and running well. When Sam (25) departed with the score on 155 Rob Fisher carried on the rearguard action. Eventually Chester were all out in the last over for 193. Dan Riley unbeaten on 55. A key innings on a tricky wicket to get Chester some kind of total to defend.
At tea the point was made that on flat wickets teams have struggled. No roller asked for and so Sam and Wiggy got on with the ten wicket task. Sam hit his line and lengths and troubled the batters. Wiggy was a little more wayward but chances were coming...and going down.
Charlie Fleet and Robin Fisher came on and with the score at 79 for 0, a wicket was needed. Both got one and the tables turned. Matt Griffiths took two stunning one-handed slip catches. The ball spun and Hyde batters were like rabbits in the headlights as Charlie took them apart. Joe Killer gloving it well behind the stumps and the fielders - including young Will Fisher on as 12th man - ran around and stopped the runs. Charlie took the last wicket bowled to finish with the remarkable figure of 10 overs 6 maidens 7 for 12. The best bowling figures in the second team for a very long time. He is an excellent slow bowler and now leading wicket taker in the league.
An excellent team performance lead by the bowlers (with the bat!) and Charlie doing the business.

MotM - Charlie Fleet
DotD - Joe Killoran - who else?