Many runs, few players!

Although aware that Zombies were under number pressure it was agreed the game would go ahead whatever. Arriving with seven presented a problem but Brook found two players for our visitors and a ten v nine game took place. Historically aware of Zombies batting strength their shortage of players was not taken too much notice of and this proved to be a sensible position!
The "all Worcestershire" opening partnership of Mike Hardy and Rhodri Williams attacked the Zombies openers at varying speeds but took Brook to its first century opening partnership of the year. On 103 Rhodds was dismissed, caught off a long hop for 78. Both bowler and catcher were Brook provided players. With Paul Challinor (27) now joining Mike a further thirty six runs were accumulated before a fine boundary edge catch by Rhodri (fielding sub) did for Paul. Three further wickets fell for only twenty six runs, including Mike's dismissal (32) which can best be described as "walked out". At 165 -5 and then 189-6 Brook were not confident runs were being scored at a rate that would cause the few, but talented, Zombie batsmen trouble. This fear was addressed by Dom Ford, who from number 7 proceeded to hit 83* off fifty four balls. With two run outs at the end Brook finished on a respectable 279-8.
After a hastily prepared tea Oli Cronk and Dom Ford opened up and kept the Zombie openers under reasonable control. Opener Collins fell at 32 to Dom Ford, followed by Ransley (29 - bowled Serrano) and Taw (7- bowled Chibisa) At 73-3 after 19 overs Brook position was looking good. However three wickets brought Hopson and Christian together and they proved to be among the very best batsman to play at Brook on a Sunday this year. A partnership of 143, littered with powerful cutting and driving, took on an asking rate of around eleven an over. With Christian playing one expansive shot too many (but appropriate for the state of the game) the onus was left squarely on Hopson's shoulders. Brook felt his danger had been removed when a confident appeal for run out was turned down. The consensus of opinion, both off and on the field, was that the umpire must have been unsighted. Soon after though, in his solo quest for victory, Hopson skied a ball to mid off where Richie Chibisa caught a fine catch over his head. Time and overs had effectively run out for the Zombies and the innings closed on 250-6 giving Brook a hard fought 29 run victory