2nd XI Vs Woodford Wells

4-fer for Bell, and 64 for Philippe as twos maintain lead at top of the table with win over Wells

Selection for this game was fraught.  On the back of strong performances across the season Paul Humphries moved up to the ones.  Meanwhile for Woodford Wells (coming off a run of 4 straight wins) leading seamer Farhad Uddin was unavailable. Brentwood drafted in under 16 left arm spinner Tom Wingrove for his second team debut, and welcomed back Graeme Walker.

Walker’s first task was to lose the toss, and to be asked to field in soaring temperatures, not warmly welcomed for those nursing post-Lashings hangovers. Due to a late reported back problem, Matt Bell was promoted to open the bowling with Tony Giles.

Bell started like a drain.  Bell was taken off after 3 overs for 21.  Replaced by Horswill. Giles bowled well but with no wickets, and finished his first spell going for a meagre 16 runs from 5 overs.

Horswill bowled with good control, and Tom Wingrove was introduced early as Walker tried to engineer a breakthrough.  Wingrove bowled an extremely good spell.  Starting with a maiden he brought excellent discipline and his 9 over spell was to yield just 24 runs, one for the future in a club lacking left arm spinners (if you exclude Belchamber, Griffiths and Humphries). Horswill struck first, a good catch on the boundary by Walker.

Walker tried himself, but without success.  Wells were starting to build a formidable total.  Giles was re-introduced but lacked his previous control and muttering darkly about a dodgy toe (requiring a change of footwear) he leaked runs.

With only 5 fit front line bowlers, Walker turned (almost certainly reluctantly) to Bell.  Bell showed how the young can bounce back.  With 11 overs left, 161 for 1, and opener Gaffney well entrenched, Wells crumbled.  

Bell took four wickets, clean bowling Gaffney for 76, clean bowling Leiper for 34 and getting two catches (by Giles and Horswill).  He finished with 4 for 57.  A good comeback.

Meanwhile Horswill picked up a second wicket (2 for 43) and Giles a caught and bowled (1 for 59) as Wells struggled to 221 for 7 from their 45 overs.

Brentwood started well.  Kieran Emmanuel went off at speed as Brentwood put on 52 in the first 8 overs.  Sadly, Kieran was out caught to a shot that was altogether too casual when well set on 32.  Boon soon followed for 9.

The defining stand of the Brentwood innings then took place.  Tom Philippe and Doug Maxwell both batting with good judgement, and increasingly looking set for 50s with a stand of 98. 

The stand was broken by one of the most stupid run outs ever seen.  Doug pushed for one and shot off down the wicket, Tom said no, but moved towards the middle of the wicket.  They got close enough to shake hands, and then stuttered, paused and seeing the ball going to the bowlers end they raced each other to that end.  Tom was first, Doug was second, the ball was a distant third.   No worries, the bowler picked the ball up and ran to the (empty) far end to effect the run out.

The umpire deemed Dougie to be out and he trudged off for 38.

Philippe brought up his half century from 79 deliveries, before falling LBW for 64.  Bell batted well and was joined by Horswill.  Bell finished 26 not out as Horswill launched his second six to win the game with 26 balls to win, finishing 18 not out.

It really wasn’t Dougie’s day as just before the end he had offered odds of 10 to 1 that Richard would not finish it with a 6.  Boon junior took the bet and a tenner off Doug.

Wanstead won to keep the pressure on Brentwood, and next week sees a trip to the fortress that is Castle Park.