There was a surprise if one can call it that at Rugby Road as a Dunchurch and Bilton second team XI caused an upset on paper by beating our Willoughby counterparts.
The home side’s decision to cancel their 1st XI game (for a third week in a row - and in this week's case, abort a trip to Milton Keynes to face MK Air) in favour of rather facing our 2nd XI containing several youngsters was perhaps unfortunate and not exactly in the 'spirit of cricket'; a choice which could yet have potential ramifications from the League as their assembled XI which included six 1st XI regulars gained revenge for the heavy defeat by their regular 2nd XI in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
For what it’s worth for the record (at least for now), the hosts - with former WCC player Pete Reynolds obviously disappointed at being one of those to fall foul of being dropped - batted first and made a total of 221. Matt Garrett took full advantage of an early LBW reprieve by the home umpire to make 91 with Daniel Greenway making 33. For Willoughby, one of the young contingent, 15 year old Dan Farrow took 4 for 40 with James Goodwin returning 3 for 47.
After 'tea' (!), in reply, Willoughby - fielding 4x 15 year olds - made 102 all out with Matt Goss and Sean Thornton making 19; Andy Groves taking 4 for 30 with first team regulars Steve Edden taking 2 for 7 and Matt Hourigan, Zaf Arshaf and Dave Brown each taking a wicket apiece.
A disappointing result and certainly in the manner it was achieved by the hosts. but although it may have reduced the 2nds lead at the head of Division 4 ahead of two scheduled matches in succession at home and then away to Flecknoe, it keeps WCC 2nds still top of the table and on course for promotion.
But as mentioned already, there may be more to come from this game in due course.