Cowdrey visited Catford (well Bromley really) with a strong side. Thomas yet again lost the toss and after a few minutes discussion Catford chose to bat. The conditions seemed to suit the batsmen, with a hard dry wicket and quick outfield.

Rooney Marsh opened the bowling with young Ross Pilkington, who at only 14, was making his 2nd Xl debut. Both bowled well and tight and after 16 overs Catford had crawled up to 2 runs an over. Showing his versatility, Hoody replaced Pilk after his 4 overs and bowled well in tandem with Marsh. Chances started to come as the Catford batsmen opened up a bit and Appsy took a good catch off Hoody after a couple had been spurned. This brought keeper Sorrel to the crease and he upped the tempo hitting big shots and running well with skipper Udin. The pressure was on the Cowdrey bowling now and Hoody was replaced by Joe Southwart. He only lasted 3 overs as Sorrell continued to get on top, racing to an excellent 50, although his exuberant celebrations nearly led to his downfall but Jo couldn't get to the stumps in time to run him out. Joe did account for skipper Udin though, running him out at the bowlers end. Geoff Connolly was bowling from the other end but could not handle the slope and at this stage Catford were well on top.

Pilk replaced Connolly and got a wicket in his 4 overs, well caught by Connolly. Smithy was brought on at Joe's end but he was expensive too, Sorrell hitting through the line of the ball. After Pilks last 4 overs Marsh was brought back into the attack and he bowled well again claiming the scalp of Chibbert, caught behind well by Mutchy at the 3rd attempt. This brought young 15 year old Ahmed to the crease and with Sorrell they continued to play their shots, including an audacious clip from outside off from Marsh onto the roof of the clubhouse for 6. Soon after though Marsh had his revenge, Ahmed caught well by Barney then he had the big wicket of Sorrell caught buy Smithy.

Hoody had come on at the other end to bowl out and he picked up 2 quick wickets and suddenly Catford had collapsed slightly to 180-8 with 9 overs to go. Cowdrey were looking to wrap this innings up as soon as possible but a combination of poor fielding including more dropped catches and chancy shots brought Catford to 231-9 with Mutchy stumping his 2nd victim off the last ball.

Cowdrey left the field slightly deflated as they ended up conceding a lot more runs than they should have.

Barney and Smithy opened to provide Cowdrey with the biggest built opening partnership in the League. They started well putting on 48 in 7 overs including a massive straight 6 from Barney into the tennis court. But soon after Smithy was a gonner, bowled leaving a straight one. He trudged off the park claiming that Barney had said "it hardly moves down the slope at all."

Inzy in at 3 and he continued where Smithy had left off playing excellent drives but after 5 dot balls off the spinner Newman Barney went for a wild mow and was bowled for a well constructed 31. Appsy in at 4 and played himself in (for probably 30 overs?) while Inzy continued to hit runs all around the ground. At drinks Cowdrey were just in front of the rate, 131-2 with Inzy on 48. The end to an excellent partnership of 63.

After drinks Catford pegged it back with Harindiran bowling well and tight and the pressure got to Inzy, swiping across the line bowled still on 48. Joe Southwart came to the crease hoping to score more than he had conceded earlier in the day with his mix of full tosses and low full tosses. Appsy was still there, with half his runs coming in singles. The rate had slowed since drinks with 20 runs and the wicket of Inzy coming in the next 9 overs.

But Joe and Appsy had got themselves in and started to push on with 30 coming off the next 6. Harindiran finished his 15 overs, 1-49 and Newman had returned. Singles and 2s were coming but the rate was now up to over 4 an over, 43 needed off the last 10. As they started to push on Joe was bowled by Newman for 25 after putting on 57 with Appys. Skipper Thomas to the crease and with Appsy struggling to run and in need of oxygen, they pushed as hard as they could, scoring 27 in 5 overs before Thomas went to an excellent caught and bowled by young Ahmed. Appsy brought up his 50 with a shot over the top and Cowdrey were creeping to victory.

But Mutchy was bowled 1st ball by Newman and Appsy was triggered for a well constructed 53, Cowdrey needed 5 off the last 2 overs, Rooney obliging with a lovely straight drive.

Cowdrey victorious in an excellent well played match, although taking 7 1/4 hours it was the longest match many had been involved with.

ST