Belmont & Edgware went down to a painful three-run defeat to Highgate Synagogue.
BECC captain Adam Jacobs lost the toss and Belmont were asked, predictably, to field. BECC reduced them to 34-4 courtesy of a wicket from James Harvey and three wickets in four balls from Jacobs.
After that, Belmont utilised their slower bowlers, and Highgate edged their way back into the match. A good partnership in the latter part of Highgate's innings between their powerful opening batsman and Clive Hart ensured they finished on a respectable total of 141-5, although this should have been comfortably chasable, even in fading light.
BECC started quickly with Elliott Mayer and Jacobs putting on a rapid 60-run partnership. However, after the captain was bowled for 23 off a full toss that he ducked underneath, BECC stalled somewhat.
Philip Mayer was out for 2, and Jonathan Field played sensibly but sometimes struggled to time the ball. Still, with three overs remaining, the required run-rate remained six an over and Belmont were in control.
But the wheels came off in the 19th over, in which a maiden was bowled, which left the team with 15 to get off the final over. After losing Jon for 27 off the first ball, Belmont managed 12 runs off the over but slumped to an unfortunate defeat.
Elliott Mayer showed some good form by carrying his bat for 45 in a loss that was all the more perplexing given that BECC still had seven wickets intact.
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