Sunday 12th May 2002 vs Four Elms C.C.
 
Boom-bang Gurney fells the Elms
 
Four Elms C.C. 158 for 8 (declared)
Washington C.C. 161 for 7
 
Washington's brilliant start to the season continued on Sunday with a last-over win against Kentish outfit, Four Elms. A huge, flat six from Aussie Justin Gurney from the penultimate ball saw Wash home in a real cliffhanger.

Skipper Dave Walker, who was there at the death, was ecstatic: ‘That was a great team performance', he enthused: ‘everyone played well and gave 110% today: we can't wait for Pacific next Sunday!'

Walker had won the toss and invited the home side to bat first. The lively Dave Ellis (2-28) posed immediate problems and despite an aggressive 51 from Croft, Wash's attack retained a semblance of control throughout. Justin Gurney claimed 3-23 from a devastating 7 over spell and also took two good catches, whilst Saturday's hero, Paul Irons and young Nick Tidey also claimed a wicket apiece.

Four Elms declared at tea, leaving Wash needing 159 for victory in 35 overs. Aussie opener Pete Demetri was soon into his stride, striking 8 fours and a 6 in a sweet 67, but when he was out in the 24th over, 42 were still needed for victory from the last 48 balls.

Lee Fogarty came and went but hit a 4 and Gurney joined Walker with 27 still needed from the last 6 overs. The bowling (Seegar and Howe) was tight and both batsmen found it heavy going on a slow pitch, as all the fielders patrolled the boundary.

Walker (27 not out) hit a 4 in the penultimate over which brought Wash within striking distance, but the first four balls of the last over yielded just one run. The draw seemed inevitable, but then ‘boom-bang Gurney' dramatically found his range and reduced the Elms' hopes of a draw to matchwood with one killer strike.

It's four out of four for the Wash: bring on the old enemy....

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