Recap

Tendring Park turned up with a “weakened” side given that a number of their players were playing in more senior matches. The day turned out to be a much sunnier one than expected, with the wicket drying out from the rain on the previous day. The team was full of youth with only two players over 60 so I thought we stood a good chance.

We held a minute’s silence in remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth II – another poignant occasion that followed the previous week when we remembered a true Bures CC friend, Chris Ayers.

Tendring Park won the toss and elected to bat. Despite a young and hungry attack, led by Max and Benji, Tendring got off to a strong start with the first wicket falling to a great catch off Max’s bowling in the 9th over. Four of their top six batsmen retired on 50 runs. Wickets fell to the Colonel (1), another to Max and two to the captain. With the run rate slowing in the last 5 overs, Tendring put us into bat needing 254 to win.

Josh and James opened and before Josh had time to get his eye in he was out LBW to the first ball of the innings. James and Will settled well and although the run rate was lagging Tendring’s at 10 overs, a magnificent display of power hitting from James saw Bures on a similar run rate after 20 overs. Following Will’s dismissal for 11 in the 8 th over, James fell in the 19th over for 92 to a very fine catch on the mid-wicket boundary (perhaps Bures should invest in a boundary rope!) and Bures on 132 having been ably supported by Max (25). With Giles still in and maintaining the run rate I thought we had a chance, but he fell for 25 and although Luke (16) and Benji (15) batted well, we fell short at 199 runs.

We retired to the Shoes for a debrief and to lick our wounds. The day was remembered for the sublime batting performance from J and his comment when he returned to the pavilion to be told how close he was to his maiden century.

Special mention to Katherine Holder for another delicious tea.