BAR LOSE OUT IN TIGHT FINISH IN HEAVY CONDITIONS

Potters Bar 2nd X1 began their 2012 Saracens Herts League Division 3 season with a 4-wicket defeat to Totteridge Millhillians 2nd X1, in a game ultimately decided by the toss of a coin.

Skipper Dave Pett lost the toss and the home team captain had no hesitation is asking the visitors to bat on a very wet wicket.

Credit must go to the Totteridge Millhillians groundsman, for the effort put in to ensure the game could go ahead, following the weeks of non stop rain that led up to the game.

Batting was very tricky, staying in was hard enough whilst early in the day scoring runs proved to be particularly difficult given the accuracy of the home sides bowlers and the slowness of the outfield.

Wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the innings and the visitors were thankful to evergreen Mike Palmer who carried his bat remaining unbeaten on 35 in 53 overs to ensure Bar could post a competitive score.

Nobody else managed to get to grips with conditions with the exception of Luke Owers who hit a very breezey 42 at more than a run a ball in an innings that contained 3 sixes and 4 fours.

After the normal excellent tea served up by the fine Totteridge Millhillians chef, the sun continued to shine and batting became slightly easier as the pitch dried out.

However the visiting bowlers did put up a good effort to ensure the home side had to work hard for their victory.

Charlie Hodge and Luke Owers both bowled very well each taking 2 wickets in the process, Greg Hodge also picked up a wicket and there was a spectacular run out by Chris Boyce.

All was to be to no avail though and whilst nobody went on to get a big score for the home side there were enough cameo’s from the batsman with some fine lusty blows to make it over the line 6 wickets down with 9 balls remaining.