Following rallying calls across the week a huge crowd of Old Owenians navigated their way to North Mymms CC to support a full strength 1st XI in their attempt to secure an immediate return to the Premiership.
Having beaten Championship winners Broxbourne last week and trained hard since, the boys were in good spirits and form. But taking on seasoned Premiership sides is, as we discovered in 2024, never easy.
Another topic of conversation all week was the weather, with every likelihood it would play a role. When Mymms won the toss it was no surprise they chose to bowl first on a rain affected surface and the possibility of a shortened chase.
In front of a vocal crowd JJ and Wellsy strode out purposefully and soon put both medium pace opening bowlers to the sword with crisp strokes and good running between the wickets. They put on a rapid 47 in 7 overs before JJ was adjudged to be LBW for 19 in what may be his last innings for us. Nairn joined Wellsy and looked thoroughly assured as they added 36 before Wellsy was caught behind after a couple of rare play ‘n misses for an excellent 49.
83 for 2 in the 15th represented a great start but the lifting of fielding restrictions, the introduction of spin and a tightening of the bowling slowed us down, exacerbated by Timmsy departing quickly. 86 for 3.
Steve joined Nairn and started bullying anything loose, often over the rope, as they added a useful 38 before Nairn was bowled.
Ralph and Steve added another 36, in yet another jaunty and useful partnership but as soon as Ralph departed Rhys was rather harshly sent on his way LBW first ball.
At 160-6 from 35 a challenging total was in the balance but former skipper and man for a mini-crisis Brad Lane joined Steve with some lusty blows and quick running. The pair added 42 in 8 overs before Steve was cut off in his prime by a stumping decision for a superb 68, including 5 
.
.Captain Jake came in, smashed 22 in 14 as he and Brad put on 33 in just 4 overs. Brad ended on an invaluable 39 not out at a run a ball with Eddie G not out 4 but even this partnership contributed 23 in just 14 balls (with one short rain break, a sign of things to come).
We ended on a strong 258 for 8 from our full 50. With a bit more going our way 280 odd could have been possible but over 250 felt a decent total.
Unfortunately during tea one of the many storms coming from the South-West hit North Mymms and the crowd sought sanctuary as the pitch was covered, rain turned to hail and some parts of the field turned to little ponds. There were some nice rainbows
A very frustrating period followed wherein the sun shone but the field remained soaked. Apparently the latest we could start would be 5.10pm and so it transpired as the chase would be reduced to 20 overs and a target of 152. 7.5 an over would not be easy for Mymms but 259 in 50 would, we thought, have been tougher. Events outside our control seemed to be conspiring a little against us but we had a game to win.
So in still slippery but playable conditions the lads took to the field for the final time in 2025. Maximum of 4 instead of 10 overs per bowler, reduced periods of fielding restrictions, wet ball & slippery outfield, and the pressure of a huge match in front of a big crowd away from home would all pose a unique set of challenges to Jake and the boys.
Brad opened up and it became clear one of their openers (Waite) was going to go hard, as he pumped a slightly short ball over square leg in the first over. Yes, it is now a T20 and not an ODI!
In a quirky move Rhys opened from the other end but was got hold of. Mymms off to a fast start but in over 3 the other opener got on strike and got bowled by Brad. 30-1 from 2.5!
Waite carried on in his merry way and we started dropping catches. Your correspondent thinks we dropped him 3 times. Finally with the total at 52 from 6.2 overs we held onto one off Waite as he departed for 42 (for 4) from just 24 balls.
A 50 partnership for the third wicket was causing concern but the scoring rate had slowed. At 104 Rhys struck as Randhawa was taken by Wellsy at long off for a run a ball 20.
Jeyaratnam had come in at 3, was looking good and was joined by Kureshi who was rather badly run out soon after. 115-4 from 15.1.
37 needed from 29 with 6 wickets in hand, the ball a bar of soap and the outfield a bit like Dancing On Ice. Game on and Mymms probably favourites.
Jake was bowling well but wicketless, Lewis was doing his thing too but also wicketless. Both restricted Mymms to 6 an over, below the required rate, which was important.
Rhys was a tad expensive and went for 10 an over. Brad returned and took out Soulsby.
Eddie G was bowling beautifully with the wet ball and bowled overs 18 and 20, some of the most critical overs.
The key throughout for Mymms was Jeyaratnam, who was singled handedly keeping Mymms on course and heading for a greater than a run a ball, possibly match winning 50.
It all became a bit hazy as the end approached. The stress of it all, peering between fingers, hiding behind the “couch” and some nerve soothing alcohol all took effect. Here’s what the Updates WhatsApp said, in the very capable hands of Emma Lane:
134/5 off 18.1 (so 18 needed from 11)
18.2 dot ball (18 from 10)
18.3 2 runs (16 from 9)
18.4 2 runs (14 from 8 )
18.5 1 run (13 from 7)
18.6 1 run
So we have to restrict Mymms, with Jeyaratnam going well, to less than 12 from the last over and it’s Eddie G, bowling with that bar of soap against a left-hander (not ideal for a left-arm spinner).
The crowd can’t watch but must. Livo is having an accident in his trousers. It’s tense. Gupta occasionally shouting encouragement as the bowlers run in. It’s all going on.
19.1 – 1 run (11 from 5)
19.2 – 1 run (10 from 4)
19.3 – 4 
(6 from 3)
(6 from 3)1 blow and it’s over. Mymms must win now?
19.4 1 run (5 from 2)
Still just one blow..
19.5 1 run
4 needed from the last – we really can’t cope by this point and Jeyaratnam is on strike having got his 50..
WE WIN!!! Cue a pitch invasion, pandemonium, grown men crying, Eddie G being mobbed by 10 of his mates, MDWAGS going mental, dogs barking, Debbie nearly breaking her hip and, just, SCENES!!!
An all-round brilliant win under the greatest pressure you’re going to face in most club cricket careers. Eddie G will probably be knighted for dealing with that pressure so well.
A great night followed back at HQ where our new club manager Sian looked after us superbly. We kept running out of clean jugs, that’s how good it was.
What a way to end the season. Bring on the Prem again in ‘26!!
STRIVE WITH A WILL OWENIANS
