With the other games called off the 1st XI left a wet Abberley with one or two people perhaps shaking their heads as we headed to Cheltenham. The forecast promised some dry weather and by the time we reached the M5 the rain had indeed stopped. There was a hint of drizzle in the air on and off through the afternoon but a full game of cricket ensued.
Cheltenham won the toss and batted. The pitch was a belter, quick, bouncy and true. Barnaby again led the attack brilliantly and took an early wicket. Oliver also bagged the other opener when Will F held on to a good catch at slip and Cheltenham were 24-2. Fergus struggled in the damp conditions and was given some tap but Barnaby held on to a steepler at cow corner to give Fergus a deserved wicket for his efforts so far this term. Runs came quite quickly with the odd loose ball punished. Will C also bagged a good catch before James took 2 wickets at the end with his spin. Cheltenham had scored 160-5 before declaring but given the wet ball and hard hitting ,Abberley had been lively in the field and had kept going well.
The opening bowlers for Cheltenham were very good, one quick , the other intelligent and accurate. Fergus and Dan got off to a steady start before a full length ball did for Fergus. Will F played an all too brief cameo before Ed joined Dan. They put on 60 in quick time at the start of the final 20 overs running busily and regularly finding the boundary. One straight drive by Ed was the shot of the day. At 82-2 with 80 needed off 15 overs, the chase was on and Cheltenham were a tad flustered. A change of bowling saw Ed tempted by a flighted spinner and Will C was brilliantly caught off the next ball, his first, by the Cheltenham skipper. The game changed and with the loss of Dan ,who batted 24 overs for his 37 and James, also to a great catch, survival became the target. The opening bowlers returned as Cheltenham smelt blood. Will B and Harry were dismissed to give the opening quickie 5 wickets but Barnaby and Hugo held firm for the last 3 overs to give us a creditable draw against a good side who had dismissed Dean Close and Bromsgrove for under 75.
This was the best performance so far this term. Abberley showed some determination to hold off a good side. We took some excellent catches, Dan continues to be a revelation with the bat and some thought went into our batting in general. Barnaby still lacks a bit of support with the ball but this was a much improved effort all round.