Syresham too strong for 1sts at The Green

Willoughby came up against a Syresham side at their strongest on Saturday and came out second best to the visitors at The Green.

Batting first, Syresham crashed their way to a total of 267 for 5 off their 45 overs. Jack Beasley’s 102 backed by 50 from fellow opener George Brock and 49 from Darren Beckett in at three forming the bulk of their total; Willoughby skipper Ben Hollis returned figures of 3 for 36.

In reply, Willoughby had little answer to the pace and bounce of Syresham’s Nathan Archer who exploited the conditions to good effect, using the conditions and surface to good effect and causing problems for the home side’s top to middle order. Archer took 3 for 31 as only Ashley Rayner in at six looked at ease making a top score of 30. A quick-fire 29 from Hollis late in the order was a valiant effort but Willoughby were somewhat adrift to a useful Syresham when they were bowled out for 119, 148 runs adrift of the visitor’s target.