2s stagger on.

Week 4 and the 2s arrived at Thorpe Arnold in high spirits. With the same wicket used as the previous week and the toss lost Smith and Page M opened. Smith smashing the rare bad ball to the ropes. Page M caught behind the wicket with the score on 15. Wagstaff joined Smith and played straight against the moving ball before being removed with the score on 40. Hendry next in moving the score onto 55 before being bowled by Hurst in his final act before leaving for work. Drinks taken at 25 overs. 55 for 3.

Parrish D now joined Smith. Smith passing 50. A fine partnership delvoping. 90 for 3 35 overs bowled. Time to accelerate. Smith now using his feet well finding his range with 2 maximums. Parrish removed for 22 and a stand of 80. Smith now powering on. With 3 figures within reach Smith caught in the deep for an excellent 96. Innings closing on 161 for 6.

A good score considering the outfielding plugging and the pitch offering sideways movement. With tea taken and the child lock being activated on the oven the raw pizza had to be overlooked.

With early wickets going to be key Looms and Hawker take the new ball. Plenty of sideways movement and even more playing and missing Anderson was removed caught Wagstaff off the bowling of Looms. Hawker then removes Skipper Carnell caught behind the wicket. 16 tight overs and the score 50 for 2 the opening bowlers were removed.

With the clouds rolling in Mcdonald and Page S entered the fray. With rain now falling and 20 overs bowled a break in play. With calculators at the ready and a foreign lady trying to interpret the league hand book what else could go wrong? With the smell of exotic cigarettes in the air the cocky 1s arrived en mass after a comprehensive victory.

With a target of 152 from 41 overs play resumed. How would the home team tackle the chase? Pitcher due to clock on for time and a half removed 1st ball caught well by Page M at mid off bowled Mcdonald. Siblow bowled by “packed lunch Page”. Four down and only five to go with Hurst already claiming his overtime rate.

With a fine partnership now growing between Mcquillan and Waldron how could the 2s break it. The skipper now ear wigging the batsmen’s conversation “ I’m due at work so this will be my last over”. With Mcquillan now only having one option Wale was posted at cow corner. Mcquillan removed bowled Mcdonald caught Wale. Game on!

Fendell now joined Waldron and the pair batted well without trouble. A big call had to be made. After council was taken the skipper backed Mcdonald to take a wicket that was in desperate need. A leading edge well taken by Sharpe at point. With Williams hand patched up after spilling a thunderous drive from Smith his day went from bad to worse bowled first ball by Mcdonald.

With The Adonis now all over the home batsmen like a C&A suit, Pollard took guard. With the field now closing in and skipper engrossed in the victory charge, HAT TRICK. Stumps sent flying by the now unplayable Mcdonald. With Page S removed after yet another fine miserly spell Hawker returned. With the ball now resembling a bar of imperial leather could the bowler find the line and length required?

First ball Fendall had no answer and could only nick off to Hendry who made no mistake. Que the celebrations. Congratulations, hand shakes and even a hug for the bowling hero.

A fine victory and outsiding performance by the team. Given the fact the 2s had by far the worst of the conditions.

Man of the match.

Mcdonald for match winning 5 for 38o