Washington were frustrated on Saturday as they were only able to draw against Mayfield despite dominating in all departments of the game. Wash put on much the best batting performance of the season so far to register 215 for 8 declared and then bowled tightly and took regular wickets with the ball to reduce Mayfield to only 80 with their last pair standing and almost 10 overs to go. However the side from Belsize Park were unable to take the final wicket as the batsmen, Cullen and Copus, stubbornly prodded away. Washington had their chances with 3 catches going down in the final overs and so only had themselves to blame. The match ended in a frustrating draw. Earlier Mayfield had won the toss and put Washington in to bat on a damp pitch, although the weather was fair. The opening batsmen Tony Harris (67) and Brad Hitchcock (33) made an excellent positive start, advancing to 72 after 15 overs. It was particularly pleasing to see some form from skipper Harris who was very fluent in his strokeplay, hitting 10 boundaries in his innings. However 2 quick wickets then fell with Hitchcock being caught and Paul Irons (0) departing for an uncharacteristic golden duck. Steve Brown (46) then arrived at the crease and there was a further excellent partnership of 80 for the third wicket. Brown also showed good touch with the bat and a return to some form. Lee Fogarty (4) departed quickly but Sandeep Kuckreja hit a brisk 33 in characteristic style, hitting a 6 and six 4s in no time. Some wickets were lost in the final overs as Washington hit out in the final overs before the declaration in the 48th over. Peter Kloss (7) and Tobe Mariner (2) were the victims; Ash Cruickshank (11*) remained not out. When Mayfield batted it was quite quickly apparent that they were not taking the run chase particularly seriously. In fact the first 6 overs of the innings were maidens, with some tight bowling from Tobe Mariner (1-7 from 8 overs) and Peter Kloss (2-26). No wickets fell in this initial period but then the breakthough was made and wickets then fell regularly, Sandeep (2-23) and Paul Irons (2-6) moving the innings along. Steve Brown took an excellent low catch at short cover. Gary Malcolm (1-11) and Russel Pendry (1-1) also got amongst the wickets as runs no longer mattered and the fieldsmen crowded the bat. With 9 of the last 20 overs remaining Mayfield’s 9th wicket fell and Washington could sense victory and they were clearly heavy favourites. However the final pair, Cullen and Copus, stood firm and played out ball after ball as the remaining overs counted down. There was real tension on the field as the Wash tried hard to grab the final scalp. Two possible catches went to Gary Malcolm, and with 3 overs to go, keeper Hitchcock uncharacteristically dropped a sitter, celebrating the catch a split second too early; he was distraught. Ultimately, because of these blemishes, Wash only had themselves to blame in not completing the victory. 38 overs had been bowled in the innings as Mayfield finished on 80 for 9. Skipper Harris said after the game “I have no other comment than I hate declaration cricket”. Man of the match: Tony Harris, for his 67 Packing the kit: Paul Irons for arriving late (second PTK in a row) Washington: Tony Harris (c), Brad Hitchcock (+), Paul Irons, Steve Brown, Lee Fogarty, Sandeep Kuckreja, Ash Cruickshank, Peter Kloss, Tobe Mariner, Gary Malcolm, Russell Pendry
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