Shenley Village III 115 Bushey II 137 Saracens Herts League Division 11 Shenley won the toss and put Bushey into bat on a cloudy but rain free afternoon.

The Bushey batting was put under early pressure with accurate bowling from Tom Evans (7.1.16.1) and Frank Lillywhite (1-39) and then Steve Schusman (6.3.5.1) was introduced to great effect with only five runs from six overs, taking a wicket and a run out from his direct hit.

Geoff Evans, taking over from Lillywhite, then proved crucial as he took a wicket in his first over and continued on with impressive figures of 14 overs, seven maidens, 24 runs, and five wickets. This impressive debut for Shenley, after a winter of shoulder injuries, was ably supported by his batting to make him the man of the match.

Meanwhile regular bowler Gary Patman's job was to increase the pressure, but three crucial catches were dropped and runs were scored which let the pressure off Bushey. Even then, at 107-6, Bushey were finding it hard to remain on top, and second spells from Lillywhite and Tom Evans kept the pressure on, but Geoff Evans picked up his third, fourth and fifth wickets all in four balls, and Shenley were right on top at 112-9.

Bushey's last partnership proved to be the difference between the two teams as Habib and Mohammed put on 25 runs before the introduction of Tony Munting took the last wicket with his fourth ball on the 48th over.

After tea Shenley lost their first wicket with the first ball, but Munting (23) and Druv Tahil (9) steadied the ship for nine overs, during which they steadily built up a 62 run partnership before Munting was bowled with the score on 77-3 and over half the total needed.

Only the experience of Geoff Evans (16) showed any real resistance as he lost five batting positions in 12 overs and Shenley's tail failed to wag, being all out for 115, still 22 runs short of Bushey's total.

5:05pm Wednesday 2nd June 2004

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