2s lose to powerful Oakham

With the toss secured Oakham were inserted on a slightly damp surface. Waddington and Looms sharing the new ball. A solid start from the opening batsmen until Begy edged through to the keeper off the bowling of Looms. Bells end came to satisfy the skipper. 55 for 2 15 overs. Looms and Wagstaff the combination.

Page had replaced Waddington by this time and removed opener Worthington via an outstanding catch by Looms. Surprise written all over the Skippers face. The same combination removed the impressive Williams. 71 for 4 20 overs. The batsmen kept coming and no sign of ex niffy stinker Lever.

Looms replaced by Wale after a decent 9 over stint. Wale finding plenty of turn. Home skipper Owen now with Morton. Both looking decent players. Morton away with a pair of boundary’s. With the field dropped deeper Morton holed out to long on off the bowling of Page. 95 for 5. This became 96 for 6 with a needless runout. Martin with the case and throw.

Southern now joined Owen. Again the new batsmen looking in good touch. With Page bowling 12 overs straight Waddington returned. The home batsmen pushing the fielders hard at every opportunity. Wale finishing a tight spell of bowling was replaced by Looms. Southern removed by Looms via the safe hands of Wagstaff for a well played 35. Still no sign of the ex 1st team keeper!

In at 9 Hubbard. Again another decent looking bat. Waddington bowled Owen for 42. With the dark clouds now circling the ground and a slight smell of damp washing in the air Lever arrived at the crease. ”10 Dan?, bit low mate. At least you get a game behind the stumps”.
A couple of boundary’s and the odd clap of thunder saw Oakham finish on 208 for 8 from 45 overs.

The away side running for cover as the heavens opened. A very nice tea was taken whilst the puddles formed around the ground. 20 minutes of solid rain and the talk of Lever taking some soap out to the square and the rain stopped. Now the waiting game. After lots of hard work by the home side the ground was deemed fit and play started at 17.40. Sadly lots of water had gotten under the covers but was starting to dry. 144 off 26. A run rate of just over 5.5. Oakham scoring there runs at 4.5!

Opening Fleetwood and Smith. Smith looking to play the aggressive roll. Oakham starting with boundary riders including Lever. Fleetwood out with the score on 29 from 7 overs. Martin in at 3. Another partnership started to tick over. Williams now into the attack. Turning his off spin square from the damp surface. Smith bowled to the final ball of Jones spell for 26. 53 for 2. 14 overs.

Wagstaff came and went looking to increase the rate. Waqas joined Martin at the crease keen as ever too find the boundary. Back to back 4s. North and Owen now into the attack. Both being hit for a maximum by Waqas. 86 for 3 20 overs. This became 99 for 4 with the lose of Waqas for a powerful 33.

After this wickets fell in the search of boundary’s. The innings closing on 119 for 7. 25 runs short. At the same point in the Oakham innings they had been 93 for 4. The rain calculations adding 20% to the run rate. The feeling in the dressing room that if the game had been over the full 90 overs it would have been very close.

A good game of cricket against the strongest side the 2s have played to date.