Dog walker inflicts first defeat on 2s.

A much changed team arrived at Harborough for week 6. On inspecting the wicket the captain felt it was a bat 1st day. Lots of bare patches and a loose surface. Needless to say the toss was lost and the 2s bowled 1st.

The agile opening pair of Dyke and Looms taking the new ball. Harborough starting with 10. Both openers looked good players. With the ball stopping in the pitch for Dykes back of a length delivery how would the Harborough batsmen fair?

1st wicket to Dyke bowling Wells for 7 with a cracking delivery just clipping the top of off stump. Next to the crease came Sayer Snr. Playing and missing was his strength, right up until he could only fend off a rising delivery from Looms to be caught behind. Celebrations with Rowe cut short with the Batsmen standing his ground claiming it hit his pad. Home umpire stating it hit his forearm! Plenty off disappointed 2s voices could be heard. The bowler would gain revenge shortly after having him caught by Jackson for a poor 5.

May and captain Whitehouse now playing well and moving the scoreboard along. With opening bowlers removed time came for the “pocket rocket” to have a bowl. Taylor taking over at the pavilion end. Line and length straight away. Just reward for Taylor claiming his 1st wicket for the 2s bowling the captain. Next in was Englare. Remove 1st ball by the now excited bowler. Caught behind the wicket. But was he?.....

Davis now joined May and produced a fine innings. May passing 50 before being removed by the labouring page. Davis now finding the boundary with Smith N as an able partner. Page and Taylor removed replaced by Wale and Smith C.

Wale finding plenty of turn and inconsistent bounce on offer. Smith N removed by Smith C after clearing the boundary with a towering 6. With Wale now removing the next 3 batsmen 2 bowled and a smart return catch surely the innings was at a close.....

Fresh from walking his dog Ingram now with dog tied to the sight screen marched to the crease. A fine partnership of 30 was the return for his efforts. With the innings now at a close 194 for 9 tea was taken. Ingram dons his jeans unties Digby and continues his walk not to be seen again.

2s open with Parrish A and Dyke. Sadly Parrish bowled by a fine delivery from the home teams captain. Opening from the far end was Hogson R. A little fellow just turned 13. Wagstaff not wasting anytime smashing him for 3 fine cover drives. Next to face the same bowler was Dyke. With an early Finnish in mind Dkye tried to hit the bowler to neighbouring Desborough only to be bowled for a duck.

Waqas joined the now delirious Wagstaff and played himself in with the ball now popping and timing very difficult. Waqas dropped twice in a couple of overs. Could this be the turning point. Sadly not. Wagstaff removed for a top innings score of 28. Waqas following shortly after for 25. Jackson batted well but was adjudged lbw for 13.

With Looms finding a leading edge the innings was falling away quickly. Wale and Smith C slowly getting the scoreboard moving but batting seemed difficult by now against the slow bowling of the home side. Eglare claiming 3 wickets. 2 batting points claimed by the final pair of Page and Taylor. 121 all out.

Great to see Ben and Sam bowling well and in the wickets. On the whole a disappointing result to cap off a difficult week.

The 2s will need to bounce back this weekend hosting Wigston Town in a local derby.