Best laid plan falls apart for villagers

10:49am Thursday 9th September 2004

Shenley Village II 158 for 9 Potton Town II 159 for 8 Herts Division Nine At the beginning of the day there was a lot of confidence in hitting a large total to see the team secure safety their Division Nine status, but like any sport it didn't all go to plan.

Losing many early wickets to poor shots stifled the early opening encounter with the opposition's bowling and it carried on throughout the innings as Shenley had five batsmen clear double figures on what should have been a 170 plus track.

They certainly made it difficult for themselves a fine knock from Laurie Willingham (36) returning after being hurt and the last pair of the young Tom Evans and Kevin Wood as they batted out the remaining six overs to help the side take four hard earned batting points.

The side knew they had to take at least seven opposing wickets for safety and it was quite tense as Potton Town set about hitting the target of 159 to win. Tight bowling was practised but sometimes let down by the occasional leg side lapse resulting in quite a few runs being taken. Woods as first change bowler took the momentum and immediately struck and took an excellent catch in the gully to follow that by another bowled victim as Potton were reduced to 45 for 3.

Things became fraught for a while as it took another ten overs before another wicket fell and Potton then on 95 and untroubled, but a fantastic run out by Bubs Willingham changed the momentum as sloppy running between the wickets help the Shenley cause. Tom Evans took a wicket followed by father Geoff who the last wicket of the season for the two's as Potton went on to secure the win, but Shenley Village were safe for another year as they had acquired enough points for safety. It has been a hard struggle all season, with only one or two players firing on all cylinders each week.

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