A decently strong Willoughby team gave captain Nikesh Mistry confidence that we could compete, but the drama that followed was definitely not anticipated.

Having won the toss Nikesh put Saints in to bat, and gave the team a rousing team talk - including the importance of ground fielding and holding our catches. Somewhat predictably, the captain then put down a chance at slip off Ian Hughes in the 3rd over when Ian was only on 1!

Good opening spells from Vikas Sangwan and Michael Deery were followed up with overs from Oscar Rust, Fergus Deery, Nikesh, Ram Mudragada and the author.
Wickets fell at regular intervals, but Ian remained - punishing anything loose. He finally fell to Ram, caught by Dave Alcock in the deep for a very good run a ball 76.

The Saints innings closed on a challenging 195 for 8 - Michael the pick of the Willoughby bowlers with 4/40 off his 10 overs. The other wickets shared between Vikas, Oscar, Fergus and Ram.

The feeling at the mid innings break was that may be too many for us to chase - but a couple of good partnerships could get us close.

That certainly didn't look all that likely when at the mid point of the Willoughby innings we were reduced to 83/5 - Ian Andrews (11) , Sean Thornton (6), Michael (15), Dave Alcock (14) and Vikas (26) all having been dismissed by some excellent Saints bowling.

Post drinks break Saints were understandably confident. Bowling well, through the top order and still over 100 runs needed for Willoughby. However.....

Fireworks ensued from Ram, who with 3 sixes and 3 fours scored 31 off just 18 balls to get Willoughby right up with the run rate and spread a bit of panic in the field.

After he fell with the score at 134/8 Ryan Perry joined 15 year old Oscar Rust at the crease with 62 runs still needed for the win at more than a run a ball.

It's fair to say that Oscar began batting out of his skin, scoring quickly against the Saints spinners. Ryan joined in the fun, and even the return of opening bowler Honor Austin failed to slow the scoring down significantly.

However, in another twist Saints managed to exert pressure with some astute bowling changes, and the scoring rate dropped to 4s and 5s through overs 36 to 39, leaving Willoughby with a more than challenging 14 runs needed off the last over for a win.

From the first ball Oscar took a single. 13 needed off 5.....
Ryan hits the second for 4!! 9 off 4....
2 off the 3rd....7 needed off 3...
2 off the 4th and 2 off the 5th with brilliant running - 3 needed off the last ball with Ryan on strike....

A gap over extra cover looked the best bet, but Ryan had other ideas. Moving his front leg out of the way he swung and deposited the last ball of the over for 6 over long on!

Willoughby had managed to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat - an incredible finish. Oscar finishing not out on 36 (fantastic batting from the young man) and Ryan 29 not out.

Credit to Saints for a game played in great spirits - and it's always good to see their youth policy coming through in the 3rds (3 players over 18, the rest all up and coming). It bodes well for the future of the game. And thanks to them for providing umpire and scorers too - makes the day run far more smoothly.

For Willoughby hopefully the win will spur us on in the second half of the season. Michael's return from Uni made a significant difference in all areas of the game, Vikas too, along with the fit again Ryan. Given some players we have in the wings as well (Stu Hall, Graham Hallam and others) we can be positive going into the last couple of months.