A fine, fluent performance from Elstow 1sts saw them return to winning ways with a 35 run win over fellow strugglers Clifton. Rani Thiarra was the architect of the batting with 33, while the returning Stuart “The Finisher” Robson’s 2-23 set up the victory by squeezing the life out of Clifton’s top order.
Elstow made their highest score of the season lsetting the opposition with a not improbable 170 runs to win. Openers Tom Wisson (24) and Thiarra got near to a century opening stand befire the skipper was stumped. Debutant Ryan Gill looked assured and provided good support for the terrific Thiarra who was finally, bizarrely, bowled off his pads. As Clifton began to stem the flow of runs, stalwarts Matt Stevens and Robson provided the last few overs with some much needed boundaries.
Newly anointed Player of the Year, Rob Tebbutt imposed himself in his three overs and was well supported by Robson’s two wickets. The first change bowlers lacked their earlier authority with the bat and strayed a little as Clifton sensed a way back but Gill produced a run out on the last ball to seal a much needed win for Elstow.
