Earls Colne vs Harwich Plate Semi Final
Colne came into the game, after a two-week break from league action, but at pretty much full strength for our crucial semi-final fixture vs. Harwich.
On another hot day (every day seems to be like that at the moment!), Daryl once again won the toss and decided to Bat on a pitch that looked hard and dry, a good toss to win!
Harwich started very well, bowling an accurate line to openers Sleeman and Callaghan, after 10 overs we were 12 for 1, Daryl being caught at mid-off, however once the change bowlers came on and after a difficult start both Harry and Chintesh tucked into some less-accurate stuff, and helped themselves to 50’s, both were out for 58 and 53 respectively, but had played crucial role’s in us posting a competitive total. Will Dunn played some expansive shots in his 24, Archie got a golden quack, Pat Kerry and Lee, had little cameos but after being 153 for 3 after 30, to then be 193 for 9 after our 40 overs, was a little disappointing, but we managed to post a competitive total, one that we felt we could defend.
After a tea, courtesy of Charlotte Oakley, we set about the task of bowling Harwich out, and our place in the final.
Harwich, started pretty much like us, losing the wicket of Harman to a full stretch diving caught and bowled by Smith (we wont need to roll the wicket for next week now!), and scored at around 2 an over for the first 13-15 overs. However Colne’s opening bowlers and change bowlers managed to take wickets at crucial intervals, coupled with some good catches in the field, all of those who bowled chipped in with wickets, Smith, Oakley, Mason and Patel taking 2 each, Parish and Wilkinson taking 1 each. We eventually bowled Harwich out in the 37th over for 137.
We won by 56 runs…a great performance by all, and one of our best team performances for some time, in that everyone contributed to the victory. A final against Tendring awaits @ Halstead C.C on Sunday 1st September.