For the 4th time on the trot, skipper Darryl won the toss in an important fixture against bottom of the table Great Brickhill. After electing to bat, Darryl and Jag put on a good opening partnership of 67. Jags was first out for 25, with Coates and Prav making only limited contributions while Darryl carried on in the same vein at the other end. The arrival of James Florey in the 37th over really kicked the innings into a higher gear – Darryl completing an excellent century before being bowled for 114, and James then next out for a rapid 57. Paddy ensured he and Stevie finished with a red-inker, and we closed for an excellent 251.
After tea, we started up with Cam Spilsbury from The Wickets end, with Charlie Sutton making a much appreciated return to Downs at the Chapel End. Both bowled excellently. Charlie was getting some great away swing, much of it far too good for the Brickhill top order (and he was unlucky not to have the opposition one down after the first ball), and Cam bowled with good control and intensity, starting off with two wicket maidens in the first three overs. Brickhill were quickly 17-3 and 47-4.
However, Morris at 3 showed some excellent resistance and was supported down the order (including a 24 not out from Brickhill’s skipper at 9), and finished on an unbeaten 57 – and Downs were unable to force the victory even with rotation through 7 bowlers. Brickhill finished a long way from the target on 149-7 off their 47 overs.
Downs picked up 18 points from the draw, with Brickhill only getting 4, so we open up a further 14 points between us, with Brickhill propping up the table in 9th position.