2nd XI Vs Southend on Sea

Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result. This season has been like that for poor Ben Sach.  His batting performances at the top of the order have been reminiscent of an Aussie batting line up at Trent Bridge.  0, 3, 42, 4, 1, 22,12, 8, 8, 5.  The 42 seems a long time ago (on the anniversary of D-day). He walked confidently out to open the batting against Southend at the OCG.  Would Ben be able to prove Einstein wrong?

Kieran Emmanuel has been very reliable this season but fell for 2.  Ben started well, against a strong opening burst from the seamers on a pitch doing quite a bit off a length.  Doug Maxwell provided good support, particularly against the first change bowler Solanki, who Doug clubbed around for 16 in his second over, leading to him being removed from the attack.

At drinks Ben was on 48, had just celebrated a hundred partnership with Brentwood on 114 for 1.  Three balls after drinks, Ben tried a reverse sweep and was bowled by the jubilant Horne.  Brentwood hearts sank, he had played a chanceless knock and deserved a 50.

Doug made 50 but departed soon after for 64, 

Matt Bell and Richard Walford led an acceleration in the scoring rate, scampering singles as the Southend skipper moved his fielders around trying to plug gaps.  Walford then started to open up with two sixes, one a lovely straight drive as he took on the field.  He was put down twice as Southend started to struggle in the field, including a skyer with two fielders indecisively converging on it.  He brought up his 50 off 39 balls, and then was promptly out next ball for 51.

James Welham tried to bludgeon his way to some quick runs, but struggled to time the ball on the pitch, falling for a run a ball 18.

Bell brought up his 50 off 48 deliveries, at which point stand in skipper Boon junior called the team in with 241 on the board in the 46th over.

Conditions were deteriorating with a steady drizzle of light rain.  Brentwood needed to get into the Southend batting line up quickly.

The two Bs, Bell and Balroop, opened the bowling.  Bell started well.  He took a wicket with a yorker in the first over, and with a bit of nip away had the number three caught behind by Emmanuel int he seventh over.  

Note to D Muncaster a regular reader of my match reports (and I am delighted I have at least one reader), who has accused me of overstating the quality of Bell junior just because he is my son.  I do think that this counts as starting well :-)

Balroop provided good support, proving difficult to score off, but unable to take a wicket.  Bell finished his spell with 6-1-25-2, Balroop with a miserly return of 9-4-17-0.

The two Hs, Humphries and Horswill, entered the fray.  Horswill (4-0-18-1) picked up the opener Norfolk after an enchanting innings, when Norfolk had just brought up his fifty, a good catch by Boon junior in the deep.

As we closed in on the last drinks break George Wingrove entered the attack as the rain increased.  Just before drinks we picked up thee more wickets - two for Humphries, and one for Wingrove, as Southend struggled to 104 for 6.

Sadly the rain increased too much and the Brentwood players trudged off the pitch.

Later the rain relented enough for 7 further overs.  Southend defended well, but Wingrove had the stoic Johnson caught by Maxwell and an end opened up.  Humphries had Maher well caught at slip, by Horwill.  Southend survived into the final over but the rains came down even stronger and play was finally abandoned with one ball remaining of the reduced innings.

An early declaration and a quick over rate had seen Brentwood bowl 41 overs at Southend but rain was the winner.  This effectively ends Brentwoods title chase, but it has been a good season with some strong performances from our younger players.