Line Scores:
East won by 9 wkts
West 35 all out
East 39 for 2
Performances of note:
East
Jack Maunder (24no)
Tor Ziegler-Evans (4-16) Ollie Dawe (3-16) Dom Bess (3-0)
Match report:
On a cold afternoon with plenty of grass on a moist wicket the toss looked like being all important. This week visiting skipper Marcus Hoddinott called it right and had no hesitation in inviting the hosts to bat.
The West were confident after their victory over the South, but lost their first wicket in the very first over. Ollie Dawe hit a good length from ball one and the pressure told by clean bowling Cummings for 0. Tor Ziegler-Evans carried on the good start by removing Roussow (1) in his first over. This was starting to look like a good day for the East. The opening pair went through their 5 over spells, Dawe claiming 3 for 16 and Ziegler Evans 4 for 16. 7 wickets down and only 10 overs bowled. Things got worse for the West as spinner Dom Bess compounded the agony, bowling 2 overs, conceding no runs, and taking 3 wickets. This reduced the West to 35 all out in only 13 overs with Jamie Drew claiming 2 catches.
There was certainly enough in the pitch to ensure that the East needed to be watchful and not complacent. The opening pair of Jack Maunder and Dan MacLaurin looked to be sensible and keep their wickets intact. A careful start saw the pair reach 8 before MacLaurin was brilliantly caught by West captain Matt Skeemer. This was the only high spot for the home side as Jack Maunder batted correctly and picked the runs off steadily. The East lost Dom Bess (retired hurt) and then Henry Gater (LBW 0) before Maunder cracked the winning runs to finish 24 not out, following his 47 last week, Maunder looks to be in good touch early in the season.
The end result was a comprehensive 8 wicket victory for the East, with the entire game only lasting 24.4 overs.
MOM: EAST Tor Ziegler-Evans WEST Matt Skeemer