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The rot continued as the Wash was dismissed for yet another paltry total. With the rain during the morning, it was a bad toss to lose with the pitch exhibiting variable bounce from coming through to tennis ball like. As a result, the first four wickets were ducks and the Wash was reeling at 4-5 (5-4 for you Englishmen). Wickets tumbled regularly and although Clink Dugmore, Amit Ahora and Nick Bunney started looking comfortable, the conditions along with some occasional loose play meant that the wickets continued to fall. Only a classy 39 from Skipper Aff and the resilient Cragoe who was still there at the end with 14 (having returned after retiring hurt after one kicked up hit him in the wrist) resulted in a score that while not exactly respectable, at least gave something to bowl at. But it wasn't enought and although Dugmore returned 1-24 off 8 and Amit 'the mummy' Ahora 2-5 off 4, the total simply wasn't enough. The game ended with a win to Aldenham by 7 wickets and with 3 Wash men with strapping on their hands after Cragoe taking one on the wrist batting, Clint splitting his webbing taking a catch of Ahora and Ahora breaking a nail and adding a second strapping to his already strapped hand. Skipper Naseem noted afterwards "It was just a bad toss to lose although the boys need to settle down and reduce the loose shots". VC Mariner (not playing) later noted that after last year being the year of the head, this year is shaping as the year of the hand with the high number of hand injuries and hospital visits already.
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