The back drop of Eastnor Castle surrounded by blue skies provided the perfect setting for a clash full of tension and twists.
The day got off to a good start when Rosaneri won the toss and confidently inserted the home team to bat. The Cotswolds got off to a slow but steady start and were politely going along at 3 an over without giving away too many sniffs of a wicket for the first 10 overs. Mat and Paul both put in solid early shifts.
Then Rosaneri got on top with a couple of quick wickets, but early optimism was soon quashed when an aggressive run scorer who had just come in was dropped. He went on to add quick runs as the run rate accelerated.
After the 20 over mark, the run rate was around four an over but more importantly the hosts had wickets in hand.
A couple more breakthroughs followed and Rosaneri looked in control before a big six wicket stand gradually took the game away from the pinks.
Rosaneri took plenty of wickets late on, but just fell short of a club record 5 successive games of taking all 10 opposition wickets.
At tea, the hosts enjoyed a slight advantage with 197 on the board. But Rosaneri fans were not too worried as the batting line up looked impressive.
The innings started well and Mr Bell continued his recent great form by plundering some stylish early boundaries.
However, the introduction of a wily old spinner soon shook Rosaneri to the foundations. Ian and Mr Bell were done by good bowling, but poor old Coxy was bowled in an unsavoury moment when he hadn’t even looked up.
With 3 wickets lost in quick succession it was time for a good stand and the travelling fans certainly got it as Bloater and Slaps sent the ball to the boundary with regularity and ease.
The total started to build and things were looking promising until Bloater, who had batted superbly, fell in the forties. But things very quickly got even worse when Slaps got stumped and left two new batsmen exposed as the run rate was climbing.
Wickets started to fall and Rosaneri fans saw hope moving further and further away.
Marcus got stuck in and smashed some cracking shots in a personal best of 37 for the club. Towards the end he was supported by a composed Mat Freeman, but the target remained just out of touch.
A good effort, but on this occasion the pressurised chase was a challenge too great for us.
The eagerly awaited return leg will take place on July the 19th at Botany Bay.