Following Timberland's recent loss to Claypole, it had opened up the title race. Whoever came out top in the battle of Martin Road would have one hand firmly on the league trophy.
Adam had an almost full squad to choose from, whereas Timberland were ridiculously missing several key players, and had to draft a few in, including one bloke they'd dragged out of a skip that morning with the promise of free food.
Timberland won the toss and stuck Baston in on an unusually dicey looking Martin Rd deck.
Liam opened up with Mark, and were going along steadily until Mark ran Liam out. Liam (11) was particularly displeased and threw his cap down. Mark was looking in good form himself, smashing a couple of fours and a big six, but holed out to long off for 18, leaving Baston 44-2.
Ben and Lamin got together and built a steady partnership, as they saw off the impressive Butcher. Not before Butcher saw off Mickelburgh, who took a ball behind the stumps straight onto his thumb. Nine of the Timberland players gathered around him to make sure he was ok, the other one was Behan who couldn't contain his joy and was giggling like a school girl on the boundary. With Mickelburgh off to A&E, Ben tried to get himself out of a slow scoring slump, and was bowled by a tramp for a solid 23 to leave Baston 93-3.
Norris didn't trouble the scorers, snicking behind off northern Jim Clarke. Lewis came in and dug in, while Lamin went on to his third 50 in his last 3 innings, a cracking effort by the moth botherer.
Well batted Boner!
Lamin (53) was out soon after, LBW to Lembo's uncle Paul. Adam came and went in a blaze of glory, while Lewis (13)tried to get the hurry on and was caught in the deep. Thanks to a bit of late biffing from Biggsy (12) and a monster six from Tim (8*) Baston reached 160-9 from their 45 overs, which was good going on a tricky track.
Early wickets were key as Timberland boast some of the top run scorers in the league. Adam duly obliged in the third over, luring the late edge from Durward (1) which was taken flamboyantly one handed by a wrong footed Ben behind the stumps.
Liam was into a groove at the other end as he bowled young firebrand Wright (1), and Adam got the big wicket in the next over with a slight nick behind from the Behan (0) leaving Timberland 2-3 with a lot to do.
Big Dan Blankley (18) hit a few trademark lusty swings to leg before falling LBW to give Adam his third wicket. Adam and Liam finished their hauls with another wicket each leaving Timberland 55-6. Both opening bowlers were excellent, with Adam taking 4-30, and Liam 2-38.
Adam Hilless - "best bowler in the league, and worst batsman" - John Lamin
Butcher (32) followed up his bowling, with some good batting including one of the nicest on-drives going. He was ousted by Lamin for 32, with a surprise catch for the Hawk. Both Lamin and Tim took 2 each, as Timberland crumbled to 90 all out. Even the returning Mickelburgh came back to bat but faced just four balls.
It was an excellent win led by Lamin with the bat, and Adam with the ball. The boys knew they needed just one more win from their last 2 games to claim the title.
Scorecard: http://baston.play-cricket.com/website/results/2374264