Saracens League Match Report

Offley & Stopsley CC 172-6 Vs Knebworth - 21st July

Match Abandoned due to Rain

Another day, another washout: what else is new?

Offley’s bid to go top in the Saracens League was affected by the weather with rain forcing the game to be abandoned after the hosts declared on 172-6 after just 41 overs.

Offley were asked to bat first on a damp, green pitch surrounded by a lush green outfield and a distant boundary rope that suggested the batsmen would be in for plenty of running. Nathan Brodie and Richie Barker opened the innings and compiled a patient stand of 54 before Brodie was dismissed for 22 aiming an ambitious shot at an inswinger. Mo Chaudry was quickly beaten by another inswinging delivery as he failed to score and Offley were rocking slightly as Steve Bexfield joined Barker.

However, Bexfield was soon into his stride and Barker – buoyed by his first six of the season – began to bat with something approaching an idea and finally registered his first half-century of the season. Bexfield was dismissed off a rank long hop from Skeggs before Barker began to open up and reached 85 before miscuing a drive off Skeggs and holing out at long on. Darren Lunney and Chris Austin both sacrificed their wickets for the good of the cause before Bexfield called a halt and declared after only 41 overs, giving the bowlers 59 overs to winkle the opposition out.

However, any hopes of an Offley win were dashed when the heavens opened and pools began to form on the wicket prompting another abandonment. Leaders Ickleford and third-placed Abbots Langley were similarly denied by the weather but Potters Bar closed the gap in fourth place as the log jam worsened at the top of the table ahead of next week’s clash with Abbots Langley.