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The village second team nearly came a cropper at Potton Town on Saturday.

Losing the toss they were put into bat, but soon lost Willingham for five, followed by Green without scoring, and then the reliable Andy Lewis for 17 in the space of seven madcap overs for 26 runs. This was soon to be for four wickets, as Dave Affleck did not add to the score.

Chris Stanley, now partnered by skipper Munting, steadied the side and took no chances, except to hit over the top when a bad ball came as Potton placed fielders around the bat and attacked the batsmen, with their young star Gurney bowling exceptionally well, helped by the lively pitch on occasions.

The batsmen ground out the runs as they settled and managed to stem the loss of wickets and kept the score ticking over, but when Chris Stanley was unfortunately bowled off his legs for 18, Shenley were still in trouble at 5 for 56 with Munting on seven.

Stubbs arrived at the middle and tried to stop Shenley losing another wicket, whilst looking with Munting to keep the run rate at a reasonable level. But seven overs later he too was bowled off his legs for 15, with Shenley hanging on at 82 for 6.

Burkhardt, the elder member of the team, quickly went after the change of bowling and added 24 valuable runs to frustrate the Potton attack, and with the patient Munting at the other end the overs were being used up sensibly.

When Burkhardt was caught the Villagers had a score of 126 for 7 something to at least defend.

Man-of-the-match Munting was next to depart, as he went into attack mode as the last overs were being bowled. He was caught in the gully for a fine and committed 36 to save a total collapse, seeing 100 runs added to the village scorebook. With the bowlers left they were told to use up the allotted overs and to score as many as possible without taking too many risks.

This they duly did, and Steve Elliot was unbeaten on 12 runs as Wood was the last man out in the last over, with Shenley Village recovering to a respectable 153 all out.

In reply Shenley took the game to Potton with an aggressive field setting for the bowling attack. This paid off immediately, just as Shenley were in trouble earlier, so too were Potton. They lost quick wickets and were in dire straits all through their innings.

Elliott grabbed four wickets for 37, Davenall who bowled well again was unlucky to take only one, Wood 3 for 14 and Stubbs 2 for 14, made it difficult for the batsmen who didn’t stay in the middle long enough until the 14-year -old bowler, Gurney, who ended up with 30no.

He, with his skipper, kept the last wicket intact for more than ten overs as Shenley tried to weed out the last wicket, as Potton looked to secure a draw.

Finally, with the batsmen crowded with fielders, Wood removed the Potton captain LBW in the 44th over as an incredible game came to an end, with Shenley showing true grit and taking victory from the jaws of defeat.

Village II skipper Munting dryly commented on the performance: “Good job we have bowlers as batsmen, and batsmen as bowlers!” SHENLEY II: Lewis, Willingham B, Green, Stanley, Affleck, Munting, Stubbs, Burkhardt G, Davenall, Wood, Elliott.

Shenley Village II 153 all out Potton Town II 115 all out Saracens Hertfordshire League Division Nine

12:49pm Wednesday 11th June 2003

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