Willoughby Vs Braunston Paddox

Another fantastic day saw the sun shining and welcoming both teams to The Green. Willoughby starting 11 turned up raring to go as they all knew the bar was finally open, thanks to Becci and Eric putting in some hard work to make this happen. Ben Hollis tossed up and elected to bat first.

Chait Kurusala and our new player Scott Cluley opened the batting and got things off to a good start, seeing the ball well and punishing the early season bad balls. Chait was unfortunate and top edged one straight up for the keeper for a easy catch and out for 11. Ben Hollis came to the middle only briefly and was dismissed for 6, Jake Quinney was an even shorter stay in the middle and was out for a duck nudging into hands at square. Scott was joined in the middle by Dan Farrow who has looked technically great in the nets with the bat. Scott started to open up in the 14th over and upping the run rate which was already high and made his half century on debut for the club. He was dismissed on 56 but done the job for a opening batsmen early in the season. Dan Farrow was looking very comfortable , picking up singles hitting the ball hard into gaps and keeping the score board ticking over, Dan also made his maiden senior half century scoring 78 runs before being bowled by former Willoughby player James Goodwin.
Ashley Rayner , Anshul Satsangi , Michael Deery all chipping in and putting on 55 runs between them. Final score card 244-9.

Willoughby took to the field after enjoying their own teas in the sun and everyone's batteries were charged.

Archie McMillan and Dan Farrow opened the bowling and looked sharp from ball one and caused countless problems for Braunston. Archie steamed in for 6 overs and was only rewarded with one wicket however it was the important important wicket of James Goodwin the former Willoughby player as Braunston started slowly at 7-1 off 6 overs. That became two wickets down via Anshul Satsangi with a very sharp run out to remove the other opener R Patel for 2. Dan Farrow looked sharp with the ball as well but was unlucky not to get a wicket 0-25 off 6.

Jake Quinney and Dave Alcock was the first bowling change and really did the damage. Jake Quinney bowled a good line and length and looked in a good rhythm finishing on 2 for 7 off five overs. Dave Alcock looked in good form as well offering the Braunston batmen virtually nothing to hit and taking 4 wickets for 5 runs off 5.2 overs. Chait Kurusala made a appearance with the ball and taking 1 wicket which was good to see as we edge closer to the league cricket. One batsmen retired hurt and didn't come back out at the end. Braunston all out for 55.Michael Deery stood out in the field, took a fine catch and was like a bullet in the field and always backing up the stumps.

A very convincing win again for Ben Hollis's team as we approach the Saturday league cricket. All players look fired up, raring to go and everyone wants to mark there spot. A outstanding team performance all round and a much improved from last week vs Southam.

Both teams adopted a minute's silence at 3:00 pm to pay their respects in memory of HRH Prince Philip.

Next week we have a inter club friendly, Firsts vs Seconds which is going to be exciting and interesting.