Top Edge proved they wanted to win this game more. The 3-0 2 For 22 side was far too complacent and lost in an embarrasing display. Manglers Vice Captain Jimbo was watching on scouting for next weeks game and must have been rubbing his hands together at the thought of playing 2 For 22 next week.
Well Top Edge batted first and posted 99 runs. It was a fairly good fielding display by 2 For 22 who forced some good run outs like when Roxburgh back hand flicked the stumps down but Ward spilled a couple of chances to run people out with the gloves. However 2 For 22 have posted over 100 the last three games and were still favourates at this point.
Chasing 100 to win Roxburgh and Morgan got the side off to a good start with a solid 30 run partnership. The highligh was Trowland's straigh shot for 6 which was repeated by Roxburgh a few minutes later. Ward and Owen then put on 24 for the next parternship setting the side up for a tough but gettable last stand. Sadly Young and Smith could only manage an 8 run partnership after too many early wickets.
It was a tough defeat for the side to take. They fall to 3-1 now on the season and face the 5-0 Manglers next week. With Top Edge now 3-1 also the pressure is all on now. When thinking back to the game this reporter thinks that 2 For 22 were far too laid back in their approach to the game. Sam was quoted as saying he was annoyed by what took place. "Beaten by Simon Welsh's team is always going to be difficult to stomach, as we are a better side on paper. I was angry at the way I batted, (4 off 14) I just could not get the ball away". Ward was not the only one who struggled with the bat. Matt Young scored -8 and Rene could only manage 2 runs. When the senior players with over 40 games of experience each combine for-2 runs then the side will lose.
The selectors now have a headache when it comes to choosing next weeks side to play the Manglers. There is talk of Mike Robinson being called up and Pete Abernethy and Jeremy King surely to come back in.
MVP Points
Roxburgh 3
O. Evens 2
Trowland 1