2's vs Gravesend

Having turned up without an umpire, Gravesend forfeited the toss and were asked to bat first.

Gravesend made a slow but steady start, due to good bowling from Glen Aukett and Paul Usher. The breakthrough wasn't made until the 18th over when Aukett finally struck with the score on 40. The experienced Gravesend line up kept the scoreboard ticking over, however Aukett kept nagging away and took two further wickets, including one delivery which was "a nut" to bowl the Gravesend number 3. Aukett bowled 15 overs straight through finishing with 3-26.

Gravesend then upped the ante, scoring at a decent rate and putting The Mote fielders under pressure. Paul Usher managed to run out the free scoring Harkins, which helped stem the flow of runs. Richard Gentry managed to tempt Gravesend captain Gary Myers out of his crease, with Jason White completing the stumping - Myers having made a good 55.

The Mote chipped away and managed to restrict Gravesend to 215- which was probably a par score. The Mote didn't help themselves with several missed chances and mis-fields, which is something that definitely needs to be improved upon in the coming weeks.

In reply, The Mote put on 129 for the first wicket in 30 overs. Jason White was the first man to be dismissed having made a steady 45. At the other end, Glen Aukett was doing the bulk of the scoring, despite a pulled shin muscle.

Chris Back was dismissed shortly after for 5. This brought Lawrence "Flasher" Freebourne to the crease. He scored at good rate and it was a surprise when he was bowled for 21. At this point, the light was fading fast, with the ball difficult to see from the pavilion.

The Glen Aukett show continued as he made his way to an excellent hundred, brought up in the 44th over.

Another wicket fell shortly after, leaving Gus Fordham to try and get the stalling Mote innings over the line. He made a swift 10 before being bowled. The score was now 207 with 13 balls remaining. Aukett took a single of the first ball of the penultimate over, Laurence Waters was caught from the 2nd legitimate delivery and in the worsening gloom, Richard Gentry went out to bat.

Only 3 runs were scored from the 49th over, meaning 6 were needed from the last over. By a combination of a scampered 2, a single and a leg bye, 2 runs were required from 2 balls with Aukett on strike - a single was taken, brining the scores level but leaving Richard Gentry on strike to try and secure the win. Thankfully the ball thudded into his pads and a leg bye was run and the win achieved. Thankfully it was just about light enough for those on the sidelines to see what happened, but only just!

So a cracking game of cricket which in hindsight The Mote should have won more comfortably considering the opening stand with the bat. However Gravesend upped their game and bowled really well in the second half of the innings to drag themselves back into the game.