Willoughby 2nds Vd Old Northamptonians 5ths

The 2nds travelled to Old Northamptonians on a very wet and cold Saturday afternoon for this fixture.

Skipper Ryan Perry lost the toss and were asked to bat on a wicket that had the covers left off overnight, as a result the wicket was boggy and difficult to negotiate as the rain came spitting down throughout the innings.

Most of the attention took the Willoughby players to the Brixworth game, Jimmy and Sean playing every ball as they were at the crease. Matt Cartridge the only batsman to get a firm grip of the pace and bounce, he effortlessly reached 50 in the 14th over and was caught on the boundary. 65 for 2. Martin Nichols very unlucky to have been adjudged LBW for 5. Fellow and former members of Willoughby, playing for a cancelled Brixworth 2nds game confirmed from the balcony it was harsh from around the wicket. A partnership of 45 from M Deery and Goss through the middle overs progressed the innings when Goss departed for 23, Deery for 27. 124 for 6. With only 5 overs remaining it was down to the lower order to finish off the innings, but the only notable contribution was 13* from Sean Thornton as the players struggled to time the ball on the wet pitch. 144 for 9 off 40 overs. Young Walmsley finishing 3 for 38.

After a quick turnaround for tea Bishop looked like your typical old boy at the top of the order, far from it, he timed the ball to perfection and the opening bowling of Moor and McMillian kept him at bay. In the 12th over a mis-judged cut to the bucket hands at slip had the crucial wicket. Old were always slightly behind the run rate at the adept bowling of the 4 opening seamers. At 20 overs Old were on 54 for 4 and struggled to keep un with the run rate, the younger lads technically very sound batted well but the tight bowling stifled any scoring opportunities. As the innings progressed more as more scoring shots were produced ending with a tumble of wickets in the final 8 overs. Old finishing on 79 all out. F Deery 3 for 18 and R Moor 2 for 15.