It wasn't supposed to end like this.
Despite support from the Mackrell family, Seveno once again proved too strong for the Badgers in the this return match. In their last game of the season the Badgers score of 155 was overhauled by Seveno in their 21st over. This though doesn't reflect that this was another close game and, with only two wickets left, Seveno could easily have lost the game.
The Badgers made hard work initially of the damp conditions at Cottenham Park with ball refusing to run to the boundary or much beyond the square for that matter. With little to show from 30 overs the order went out from Skipper Cole to have a swing and was gleefully taken on my Walker (welcome back) and Hamblin. Both though sadly fell to catches just as the boundaries were beginning to flow. This didn't stop the baby faced assassin Thomas though finishing an excellent knock on 43 giving him the honour of Badger of the match. Badgers all out though for 155.
Tea was very good.
The Skipper took the new ball and in an over he'd probably like to forget did find an early break through with Shone's chocolate wrists proving too much for the Seveno No 2 who was run out without facing a ball!
This didn't deter Seveno's No's 1 and 3 though and they set to chasing the Badger total with gusto. With not too much left to get Dollimore found a way into the game, the Skipper taking another slip catch in his jumper. There then followed regular wickets with Dollimore taking another 2, Hamblin 2 and Potter also magicing up one.
With 7 down going into the last over and 5 runs needed it was Seveno's to lose. And despite a wicket on the first ball of Thomas' over and a catch dropping agonisingly short of Walker at mid-on two balls later the damage had already been done by the Seveno top order who ran out victors by 2 wickets.
The early finish did mean the Badgers were able to retire to the pub to watch Japan snatch victory against South Africa in the rugby world cup. Much like the Saffers, the Badgers were perhaps left wondering what could have been and that the match was not supposed to end that way.
That said, one match does not make a season and what an entertaining, enjoyable and fulfilling season 2015 has been. Well done to Captain Mackrell and Vice Captain Cole on steering the good ship Badger through the year.
And now to start thinking about the 2016 season... did someone say Captain Shone? Zoinks, surely some mistake Scooby?