Despite fine weather, a good wicket and a strong Wash team, the batsmen failed to deliver as they were rolled for 85, losing to Valley End by 22 runs.
After an excellent bowling performance restricted the hosts to 106, the Wash got off to a terrible start as their top order was ripped apart. At 28/5 the pads were flying as various incoming batsmen hunted down their equipment, yet it was only Vinay who provided stern resistance, hitting 41 in defiance of the inevitability of the result. He batted really well against the odds and only found support in Marshy, the only other Washman who dared venture into the heady realms of a double figure score with 18. However, the precision of the Valley End bowlers was too much and the Wash were ignominiously bundled.
Earlier in the day the bowlers had done great work with Max (3/31), Marshy (2/17) and Vinay (2/9) all getting stuck in. A good fielding and bowling performance - with highlights being a steepler held in the deep by Brian and a rasping catch clung on to by Gibbsy - was not backed up after lunch, and back to London we scarpered, tails firmly between legs.
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