Jimmy Tanswell slam dunked the winning six to bring up Elstow II’s maiden victory of the indoor season and mark a memorable comeback. Tanswell’s transformation from shower of length to tower of strength epitomised Elstow’s day as Will Wisson’s side notched up their first win at the fifth time of asking. The Teutonic twosome opened the bowling in bedraggled fashion and Bigglewade’s youngsters looked on in happy bemusement as the extras column spiralled out of control in their favour. The introduction of Jacob Hiscox in to the attack paid immediate dividends; Tanswell clung on to a rasping drive. Biggleswade’s talented youth section acquitted themselves well, looking adroit in defence and combined with this with some decent stroke play, however, had they taken the threes on offer, their final figure of 135-6 should’ve been 30 more. Kiwi colossus Geoff Couling entered the arena. Pinning his first victim lbw, Couling finished with 3-19 from 2.3; a smart return catch and a scrambled, dextrous effort from the elastic Tanswell brought the innings to a close in Cirque du Soleil style.
Couling, as he has so often this season, provided the ballast for Elstow’s reply. He unhurriedly went about accumulating his 40 not out through style and substance. Wisson earlier claimed Biggleswade’s fourth wicket and provided good foil as the opening pair put on 89 before the mandatory retirement of Couling. Michael Dickson’s cameo was short but sweet; run out, steepling six, classy deft jab, run out. Wisened heads Nick Lewis and Tanswell (him again!) came together with their side twenty or so short and after trading scampered threes and boundaries it fell to Tanswell to see his team home with an over to spare and wrap up this helter skelter affair with authoratitive abandon.
