Sunday was probably the closest we will ever get to League cricket. 

As a one off for high drama, intense competition, and a win at all costs approach it was certainly worth flirting with. In fact it was very enjoyable and the big crowd at Lincoln Road bought into it with a massive appetite. So much so the roof nearly lifted off the old pavilion when Rosaneri closed in on an unlikely underdogs victory. 

The toss was crucial and the Cotswolds enjoyed their first victory of the day by winning the toss and electing to bat. This looked the obvious call with the early start time as the fielding team would have take the sun during the hottest part of the day. 

Rosaneri did start well though with Paul and Gareth keeping the lid firmly on the run rate. But after a slow start the Cotswolds batsmen opened up to get things moving. 

Wickets came slowly at a punctuated rate which meant that the pinks never really got on top. In the end The Cotswolds ended up with a par score for 40 overs at Lincoln Road with the fast outfield. So at tea, the game was very nicely balanced. 

Interestingly all 5 Rosaneri wickets came from slower bowling with Slaps being the pick of the show with a great 4 fer.  

The Rosaneri innings got off to a brilliant start with 16 being taken off the opening two overs that included a massive six from Mr Bell. The good start was short lived though when Big Mike edged one to slip. 

Robsie adopted a patient approach which seemed to rub off on Mr Bell and Gareth to stutter the run rate to a crawl. In fairness this period probably coincided with the best spell of bowling. 

Wickets tumbled and eventually Ian and Jim came together. This had an immediate impact on the run rate as they put away the bad balls and tried to turn good balls into singles. Within 10 overs the game spun on its head and Rosaneri moved into a position of being favourites. 

Ian raised his bat for a massively deserved 50 before disaster struck and he was caught in the covers. Unfortunately Jim followed soon after and run rate started to climb again as Mat and Slaps took time to acclimatise. 

It didn’t take long though and the Home crowd literally raised the roof as the winning total grew ever closer. 

With 10 required in the last over the crowd were on the edge of their seats, but Mat’s dismissal hit Rosaneri hard. Poor old Jimmy Mitchell was thrown into the lions den and a brilliant 4 raised hopes of a last ball tie with a repeat, but it was not to be and victory went to the boys from the Cotswolds.