Ansty 1s vs Mayfield 1s Match Report After a wet week and a roasting Saturday, Towler won the toss and elected to bowl against a strong Mayfield team, who had been relatively unchallenged sitting pretty at the top of the table... until today. Jethro started well inducing a few nicks towards the cordon before one finally stuck as Leo took a great catch low to his right. At the other end, Charlie backed up Jethro well, continuing his fine form with an early wicket. After the first 15, Mayfield looked to rebuild after losing a few early wickets but Ansty were well placed with Mayfield 40ish for 3. JP then broke the partnership. In the next 15 the overs the spinning partnership of Anderson and Armstrong applied the pressure well, and restricted the batsman to control the game. If Towler hadn’t thrown a catch to the floor, it would have been an almost perfect 15 over spell. In an inspired bowling change, Towler brought Young into the attack with a strong offside field set. Young then decided to ignore any instruction and bowl a bouncer with no leg side protection, only to strangle their dangerous skipper for 1, caught at short fine leg. He then repeated this trick next over... With some late order hitting, and improved catching, Ansty bowled Mayfield out for 163 in the 43rd over. Knowing the Ansty track tends to improve on days like Saturday, the team were confident of chasing the score down. Young and Towler opened for the Sty, and moved along nicely for their second 50 partnership of the season. This included one clubbed six by JY, and a beautiful Bairstow/Butler hybrid six by Towler. He watched the 800th short ball by the quick beautifully onto the face of the bat before lifting it into the trees over the third man boundary. Towler did however squeeze one free hit for one, and left another one, taking his total to 2 runs from 3 free hits for the season thus far… wally of the week victory secured, narrowly defeating Darren ‘glass ankle’ Senadhira, who couldn’t bat after falling over when turning round to walk back to his fielding position... 80-0 at drinks... cruising. Towler hits one in the air. Jamie misses one. JY kicks one. Jethro misses one. Leo elbows one. 80-0 quickly became 89-4 with Leo asking for his arm to be amputated. Barnes and Palser rebuilt well, before Barnes was out the last ball before drinks leaving Ansty needing 60 from the last 15 overs with 4 wickets remaining (not including the walking wounded). Enter Sam Palser who played the innings of his life superbly milking the spinners, and hitting the bad ball a long way. Sam was very well supported by Woodall, batting in an unusual spot at 8, but with a vital 25. Palser finished the job with a clean hit sweep into the mid-wicket trees to finish 48* sparking wild celebrations. A huge victory and one we must use as a springboard as we look to continue our progress up the table!