Opening the bowling for Haverhill Martyn Wilkins (9 overs 0 for 23) and Rob Sullivan (14 overs 3 for 62), the first of a number changes. They both bowled well and with increased pressure from both ends were able to get the early breakthroughs as well as keep the scoring rate down.

S Youngs (5 overs 1 for 12) and A Dellar (9.4 overs 2 for 30) maintained the pressure through the middle part of the Kelvedon innings and bowled very well.

J Woodley continued to improve and got the vital wicket of J Baker for 57 breaking the pivotal partnership of Baker/Lees.

A skied catch well taken by Neil Wallis and three run outs kept the Haverhill wicket keeper very busy. Run outs assisted by N Hoque, S Youngs and N Winter.

A Dellar and Rob Sullivan came back into the attack to close out the innings and with very little resistance for the tail end A Dellar took the remaining two wickets to bring the innings to a close.

Kelvedon 10 for 194.

Haverhill got off to a flyer with N Winter (33) and Simon Youngs (15) despatching the opening bowlers to each corner of Manor Road. With the lose of S Youngs caught backward square the in form A Dellar arrived at the wicket with immediate impact. Spectators had to move vehicles in the car park to make room for the power hitting. Adam Dellar is now starting to display some of the promise he has displayed in patches early in the year. Three monstrous sixes and sweetly timed ground strokes stunned Kelvedon, well supported by N Winter the game was slipping away from Kelvedon. After a late cut through backward point, crouching to measure the stroke, probably one of the strokes of the innings, A Dellar then attempted the same stroke and was caught behind for what is his best innings at Haverhill to date. The crowd at Manor road were buzzing.

Haverhill had to stabilize but not release the pressure that had been applied. The Wilkins formula was applied. Power hitting and fine stroke placement coupled with patience and some flare were all attributes exhibited by both D Wilkins (43) and M Wilkins (35) to bring Haverhill across the line at a canter to finish the game.

Haverhill 4 for 194

Personal comments:

They say a week in Politics is a long time. A week in cricket felt longer I can assure you.

After losing last week, a lot of soul searching and a lot of questions pondered, this week came as an absolute surprise. The team picked itself up, dusted its self down, took a deep hard breath and played very well. We bowled well, we fielded very well, and executed the run chase systematically. An all round improvement both in attitude and “on-field”commitment.

Talk abounds at the club in relation to when exactly we will have achieved one of our goals and gained promotion to Divison 3. I don’t understand or appreciate the need to have this banter. We haven’t done it yet. When running the marathon the leader doesn’t slow down when he/she has the finish line in sight just because he/she has a 3 minute lead on the second. You don’t finish the race earlier because you think you have it won. You get over the line, check your times, have a drink and then reflect on the win.

Some people underestimate the power of mental attitude and preparation prior to the game, on the field and afterwards. Having the goal as clear as wanting to be on top of the league and gaining promotion is clear cut. It doesn’t require discussion or analysis and there is no room for opinion or debate. The goal is set, it doesn’t move, you either achieve it or you don’t. Lets not discuss success before its achieved. That’s one definite way to trip up just before the last hurdle.

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