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The CCC fixtures desk really turned up trumps by taking Washington to an idyllic rural ground in deepest Hertfordshire and the setting matched the cricket, which was one of the most exciting games of the season. Stand-in skipper David Gluckman won the toss and elected to bat, given that 3 key players were half an hour late. He and Tony Harris added 33 slowly, giving the cavalry, including skipper Pete Grzonka, time to arrive. George Hope gave the innings real momentum with a quick-fire 26 in 16 minutes. But after that, progress was slow and 105 was reached in the 35th over. But the late order batsmen really cam up trumps and in the last 11 overs added 83 with great contributions from Brenden Edwards (33 not out),Pete Grzonka (27) and Peter Kloss (23, including two straight 6's). 188 looked a challenging total on a slow wicket. Great Gaddesden started slowly against good bowling by Peter Kloss and Neil Martin and by the 10th over they were 15-1. A few dropped catches did not help the Wash cause. At the start of the last 20 overs they were 76-4 and lost a 5th wicket soon after that when keeper Chris Hearn was joined by skipper Carl Ambrose. 18 overs left and 105 needed. The Wash were still quietly confident but the home batsmen had other ideas. They added 109 batting sensibly with no wild slogging and with one over left, 4 runs were needed. Kiwi left armer Neil Martin was entrusted with the last over and the field closed in to save the singles. Ambrose faced in fading light. Two dot balls. Then a flurry of activity behind the stumps and Ambrose was given run out. Enter D. Hearn to face the last 3 balls. Four still needed. Martin really pulled out the stops and balls 4 and 5 were both missed. The field spread to save the boundary. Martin ran in and bowled. Hearn swung and a lofted off drive reached the boundary giving the home side a memorable victory. As Wash skipper Pete Grzonka said, "That was a truly great game of cricket. At the start of the last 20, all results were possible, and had Neil managed that last dot ball, we would have snatched a memorable draw. But all credit to the oppos, and to Chris Hearn, whose 88 not out was a great knock."
Washington team : Pete Grzonka (c), David Gluckman, Tony Harris, Brad Hitchcock, George Hope, Lee Fogarty, Stuart Hood, Simon Attridge, Brenden Edwards, Peter Kloss, Neil Martin
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