Match Report

Dinton 2nds

5 September 2009 - Away

1st team league fixture.

Hi Ho Silver Lining

The Mills cloudy season had a silver lining as they comfortably beat Dinton to secure their Division 3 status for another year, but we left it right to the last game as usual.

For the second season running the Mills went into the last game with relegation to the depths of division 4 a real possibility - and this time there was no rain to save us. Saturday morning arrived and the sun was shining, the forecast was good, the game was on and the Mills destiny was in their own hands.

From the start the Mills had the advantage over Dinton 2nds - a 3 point advantage, and without being at all biased we had the better team. Dinton won the toss and against all expectations they decided to bat - their strategy obviously to get a a draw and hope that they got 4 more points than Witney - a sign of a team lacking in confidence.

The Mills started well, Pierre picking up a wicket in his first over, however Dinton recovered and without looking convincing progressed to 87 for 1. Jim bowled an excellent opening spell without much luck, and Pierre passed the outside edge of the bat on numerous occasions. Darren came on and in his third over provided the spark the Mills needed. Two lbw's in two balls and then on hatrick ball a complete rank delivery down legside - never mind it roused the team and from then on there was no looking back. Darren ended up with 3 and Jo bowled a tight spell also picking up a key wicket. Jim and Pierre then came back and wrapped up the tail - 173 all out. Pierre as usual got most of the wickets but Jim was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 48 off 19 overs. The Mills were tight in the field holding the key catches at the key moments. It was now over to the batsman.

We started steadily with Pete and Ross reaching 35 off 19 overs before Pete was unluckily out lbw. Darren came in at 3 and just as last week wasted no time in taking the attack to Dinton striking the ball cleanly including a massive 6 over long off. The skipper at the other end played a supporting role taking time to get used to Chris's bat after breaking his trusty weapon in the 3rd over. The score progressed to 128 for 1, Dinton heads started to drop and victory was in sight when Darren was out for an excellent 54. Jo came in and the score kept moving but then he chipped the ball to the infield and Will soon followed trapped lbw. 159 for 4 only 15 needed but was a Mills collapse on the horizon. In came Pierre, a man with a clear and untroubled mind for a crisis, and he saw the Mills home with valuable extras. A cheer went up and the Mills were safe - as are Dinton probably as only one team is likley to go down. The skipper was unbeaten on 64 in a game he wasn't supposed to be playing in -thanks Kirsty.

A great win and a great day for the Mills as we heard that the seconds had won comfortably. The firsts finished 6th in the end a respectable position in a very tight division. And so the season ended with celebrations - again the report reads tried hard, flashes of brilliance but need to be more consistent.

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