Keeping up the run following last Sunday's two last ball losses (6 to win in both the W10 league game and Sunday XI friendly) which both ended in defeat, Petersfield had another last ball game away at Grayshott today.

Losing the toss and being asked to bat first, stand in Skipper Chris Russell sent in the Walton pairing of Rob and Hari hoping for big things. The pair started well until Rob unleashed his inner David Gower and chased a wide one and was caught behind for 9 which was to prove a popular score on the day. Adam Childs then joined Hari and the two scored freely adding 44 in 7 overs before Hari was bowled off of his pads by the skiddy bowling of Wheble. Skipper Russell then joined Adam and the pair saw off the pacy Brayshaw with Adam retiring after a series of powerful shots for a well made 53 from just 48 deliveries. This brought the second family pairing together (which was a theme from the day) as Georgie Russell joined her dad at the crease with the family Walton now undertaking the umpiring duties. The pair continued to build until Georgie smashed a waist high full toss to backward square leg, fair ball was the combined Walton call and she departed for 9. Olly Heapy joined Russell and proceeded to play a series of outstanding misses whilst Russell enjoyed the leg spin of King until he went too far and played onto his own stumps for 44. Olly finally connected with a few until he was dismissed, also for 9, leaving Fraser Anstey and the returning Graham Haynes to push hard for the final runs finishing 9 and 12 not out respectively. Petersfield totalled 181 for 5 from their 35 overs in line with the target that the skipper had set. Spinner King led the way for Grayshott taking 2 for 36 from his 7 overs.

As the drizzle descended Holly Haynes and Fraser Anstey opened the bowling for Petersfield, keeping the Grayshott openers (another Father and Son combo) to 18 runs from the first 6 overs until Anstey dismissed Andy Jones caught by Adam Childs, Holly was unlucky not to take at least one wicket in her first spell having Sam Jones dropped at Square leg early on. The introduction of the pace of Olly Heapy and the swing of Fifi Goldsmith worked well for Petersfield, Heapy having Mullin caught to a lofted shot at mid off by Georgie Russell but by now Sam Jones was starting to find his stride. Alex Morrison and Georgie Russell replaced Heapy and Goldsmith and Russell removed House caught behind by Rob Walton and in her next over had Barclay well caught at slip by her Dad to continue the family theme, she then bowled Avery in her next over, her spell putting Petersfield on top. Alex Morrison worked hard without success and Graham Haynes bowled one over as the game neared its end with Sam Jones retiring not out for 50 from 71 deliveries. Hari Walton and Chris Russell combined to take a wicket each, Hari's caught behind by his father to give yet another family dynamic and remove the dangerous Brayshaw for 19 from only 14 deliveries. With 6 an over needed from the last 7 overs Jim King then took up the reins as Petersfield turned back to Holly Haynes and Fifi Goldsmith. Holly caught and bowled House but King continued to keep pace with the run rate leaving 18 runs needed from the last 3 overs. Holly's last over went for 7 runs before Hari Walton returned to go for just 3 leaving 8 runs required from the last over with 2 wickets remaining. Georgie Russell was given the responsibility of bowling the last over and the pressure was on. A dot ball was followed by a leg bye and then a bye and a scamped two which was nearly fumbled in the deep, 4 to win from the final two deliveries. As the field scattered to the boundary we needn't have worried as Georgie beat the bat of King twice, with the final delivery resulting in a run out by Rob Walton leaving Petersfield the victors by 3 runs, King finished 39 not out to complete his good day.

A great game, played in a good spirit at a nice ground with juniors bowling 29 of the 35 overs, a good day out, well played all.