With Eaton Bray having chased down the total set with overs to spare against the same opposition last month, the home captain opted to bowl first on this occasion, having won the toss.

Tom Maynard and Lee Gauntlett were sent in to open the batting. Maynard appeared to pick the pace of the pitch a little earlier and struck some good shots to the boundary with one big six off the opening bowler. After a steady start, Gauntlett began to open up and struck a good number of boundaries himself and particularly punished anything slightly short of a length. Gauntlett departed first having struck 80, with an excellent opening partnership of 156 in 30 overs. Joe Moss was in next and he dispatched his first ball for four, straight back over the bowler’s head. Maynard was the next man out caught, having made his top score for Eaton Bray of 72. Fred Flack joined Moss and played a lovely cover drive for 3 to open his account but was later adjudged LBW. The skipper, Jaco Jacobs strode to the crease and he struck his first two balls for four. Having hit a very entertaining 40 off 27 balls, Joe Moss was caught at mid-on. Chris Maynard joined the skipper for the last couple of overs and the pair took the score to 247 off the 40 overs. (Jacobs 17*, C Maynard 10*).

Euan Palmer and Joe Moss opened the bowling. Any hope that Great Brickhill had of getting off to a fast start was curtailed by both opening bowlers bowling at a brisk pace and beating the bat regularly. First change bowlers Taia Bisgrove and Ollie Harris did a great job of keeping the pressure on, with Bisgrove striking first and then Harris removing the other opener. Jaco Jacobs and Aaron Gauntlett came into the attack, with the former taking an impressive 3 for 27 and Gauntlett can count himself unlucky not to have picked up a wicket, with a couple of chances not being taken. It should be noted that one of these chances went to his brother, who admirably stepped in to take the gloves. Maynard junior complained of a "leg injury", deeming himself unfit for keeping duties – he then proceeded to chase everything around the outfield like a man possessed, posing the question, would he have had an easier time behind the stumps?!! Palmer and Moss returned to the attack, with the former taking a well deserved 4 for 27, with Great Brickhill being bowled out for 194.

An excellent team performance, with great effort shown in the field - Dave Callan getting a special mention for his work covering the small boundary and taking two good catches. With five under 15 players in the side, the future looks very positive indeed for Eaton Bray CC.

Match report by Chris Maynard

Player of the Match Nominees
Thomas Maynard - 72 (Top score for EB)
Lee Gauntlett - 82
Euan Palmer - 7 overs, 4 for 27

Player of the Match with the most votes
Thomas Maynard