An overcast July day saw Crown Wood 1st XI entertain Emmbrook & Bearwood 1st XI in a game between the bottom two teams. On a furry pitch, Emmbrook skipper Adam Bull won the toss and inserted Crown Wood.
With the division leading wicket-taker Matt Hayman steaming in, Emmbrook probably made the right decision. A solid platform had begun to be laid by the CW openers, putting the full tosses away, but Hayman got Nassir to edge one behind. Shortly after Wedatilake went for a pull off Hayman and was trapped in front. Crown Wood's middle order has been like an undercooked souffle (liable to collapse) recently and again it proved as Rubbani was snaffled at cover and the returning Timi Malik went for an optimistic drive to be caught and bowled by Hayman, who now had four wickets. Riyas Rajab nervously took to the crease and with some calming words from skipper Ravi Godbole the two started re-building. A large portion of the re-build was in fact down to the genorosity of Emmbrook's fielders who amazing dropped Godbole four times on his way to 50. Rajab was content to hit the occasional bad ball for four, and the important partnership lasted from the 13th to the 40th over. Rajab was severe on the returning Hayman to reach a marvellous and hard-worked 54, before finally a catch was taken to give Hayman his 5th wicket. Godbole used the remaining overs to finish on an unbeaten 100* (*Emmbrook assissted!!). Hayman (5-65) was the pick of the bowlers and Adam Bull bowled an economical 9 over spell. CW finished on 225.
Crown Wood began with the old ball with the idea of resticting Emmbrook and the ploy worked a treat as Nassir got considerable turn to dismiss Hamilton offering no shot. Jeyerajah got some bounce from the pitch at the other end taking wicket of Davies and the crucial wicket of skipper Bull. Will Layne (22) was batting very well but then middled a shot straight to mid-on where a good catch was taken. Emmbrook were now on the back foot. CW were wary however, as Hayman, and McNelly in particular struck the ball cleanly - however Rob Crook's introduction paid dividends immediately, bowling McNelly and then Medhurst after some resistance. Tom Ham stuck around dilligently and put the bad ball away, but with Hayman bowled by a Malik outswinger, Ham was left with the tail. He played well for 33* before the last two batters were mopped up and Emmbrook bowled out for 121. Kamran Nassir ended with 3-44, the rest of the wickets shared around.
This was a game played in great cricketing spirit and with smiles on faces, the tone set by the two captains as should be the way. Crown Wood haul themselves off the bottom with this result and look forward to facing Shinfield next week.
