The 2nd team arrived at HQ full of confidence, after a blistering start to the season, starting the day joint top of the table. Unbelievably the skipper arrived ahead of the meet time for the second week running, and after assessing the overhead conditions and a slightly damp outfield, decided we’d have a trundle against the league’s bottom side, much to the dismay of some of the “senior” members of the side.
A new opening seam attack of Senatore (1-36) and the ever-present Ronnie Hirani (2-31) bowled smartly and kept things tight early on, with Hirani bowling a peach to nick off BCC’s opener, with a smart catch from Day. They were ably backed up by a rejuvenated Dan Evans (1-26), who looked back to his best with a slightly older ball, and Shepherd (1-25) who bowled the other opener, who was starting to look dangerous, with a beautiful delivery, nipping back off the pitch. The skipper (1-16), decided the over-rate had been far too good thus far and so offered up 3 overs of full tosses, long hops and the occasional jaffa. Like a young Mikey Holding, our very own “Chundering Death” had once again made the crucial breakthrough and protected his figures by getting himself out of the attack. Off the back of his player of the week performance last week, Scott Morris was once again the pick of the bowlers, despite a rare spillage from Mr 20-20 vision himself, James Knife. The Burnham middle order just couldn’t get him away and on a pitch that was offering a bit of turn, Scotty returned figures of 3-18 off his 8 overs. A superb spell, which gave the 2’s in-form top order a challenging, but below-par 152 to chase from their 40. BCC’s bowlers started well, frustrating Lippiatt and Shepherd with some tight lines early on, but Harefield’s young openers dug in, grinding out 40 runs and seeing off the new ball, before Shepherd chipped one up to the in-field. In quick succession, Richards came and went cheaply, Lippiatt’s stubborn resistance ended for 31 and Hirani was questionably given out caught behind, and out of nowhere, HCC were starting to wobble. While Petley scratched around struggling to get it off the square, Knife strode to the crease with confidence, bludgeoning the ball to all parts, making the game look incredibly easy, steering the boys closer to victory. When Petley put everyone out of their misery and nicked off for not many with 50 still needed, was there going to be a final twist in the tale? Absolutely not! Day and Knife confidently dispatched the remaining runs required with ease, leaving Knife unbeaten on 53 and Day 17 red, resulting in a comfortable 5 wicket victory for the Hares. A superb individual effort from Knife, who looked to be batting on a different wicket to everyone else! Possibly the trickiest game of the season to date for the 2’s, but a fantastic bowling performance, a much-improved fielding display and some gutsy batting has left the 2’s top of the table on their own, thanks to Marlow’s defeat. Three games to go, against three 1st XI’s. Bigger tests to come!
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