Narrow defeat for 2nds at Thornborough

A fine Bank Holiday weekend and the start of the 2nd XI’s league campaign away at Thornborough ‘A’ albeit a week late.

With the toss won and a plethora of fine bowlers eager to get in on the action the skipper chose to field due to the wet conditions leading up to the fixture. After being informed of only 9 home team members available it was a good opportunity to bowl them out cheap. And it proved so, Troy Reeves (2-15 ) and Jake Quinney (0-9) opened up and saw us through the first 10 overs. Followed by the duo of Dan Farrow (4-10) and Callum Hanks (1-14) who ripped through the middle order within another 10 overs. Karl Quinney (2-4) and John Gregson (1-14) finished off the 9 men only for us to be informed that 2 ‘others’ had arrived. So 40 all out turned into 69 all out as the skipper who decided to enter the fray at no.9 was joined by their no.11 Aussie (apparently just completed a 100K cycle ride practice for his ironman contest next week!) who decided to dispatch John for a 4 and a 6 in his first deliveries.

After tea Alex Proudman (25) and Fergus Deery (12) had no problems seeing us through to 33 without loss and on course for an easy victory. Fergus was run out just after a bowling change to the skipper and the latecomer Aussie/ironman, they tore through the middle order and made batting look abnormal. There was some resistance from the lower order but at 50 for 3 and 62 for 7 there were plenty of opportunities to win the game. Runs dried up and wickets eventually tumbled to leave us at 65 all out.

A fantastic fielding display with some excellent catching to restrict them but the early season batting form needs to be addressed for the next fixture. Onwards and upwards!