Jesters fall well short chasing big Barnes total

Barnes Common 234-5

Jesters CC 157 all out (Sud 50)

Lost by 77 runs

Jesters lost the toss and were asked to field first. We made a good start with opening bowlers Andy Mortimer and captain Phil Berman taking an early wicket apiece. The false shots kept coming and it felt like a matter of time until wicket number 3. But balls kept falling between fielders or being put down. The batsmen's confidence grew as the Jesters failed to make inroads and the partnership built to around 150.

Despite this, the Jesters bowlers did well to keep the run rate in check on a quick-scoring ground against attacking batsmen who were now seeing the ball well. DJ Chak in particular regularly beat the bat, finally getting the wicket he deserved with the last ball of a fine spell. 234 for 5 was more than we wanted to concede and boosted by some mediocre fielding, but not out of reach.

In the chase, the Jesters also lost early wickets, falling to 30 for 3. A very promising partnership of 59 followed for Alex Smith and debutant Sam Sud. Alex looked in good touch before being caught for 36. Sam kept going as the run rate was rising and wickets were falling all-too-regularly at the other end. Sam suddenly looked in some physical discomfort and declared to the whole ground that he was in desperate need of a number 2. This not being an option, he found a new focus and determination and played really nicely to hit exactly 50 on debut, before being stumped. The tail gave only a little resistance and Jesters were all out in the final over for 158.