2nd XI Vs Southend on Sea

Saturday saw the “joy” of a trip to Southend.  The wonderful A127 was nose to tail, the drainage had ravaged the outfield, and a solitary site screen at one end was wrecked by vandals.  I had the ”joy” of Horswill in the car with me.  I say joy, it was like listening to a broken record stuck on a groove which says “I hate going to Southend” (he was referring to the area in general rather than the club, which was welcoming in a well appointed club house)

Get in, take the points and get home was Walkers message to the troops.

Simple instructions, but not really heeded initially.

We bowled first.  Hull and Degg shared the new ball but Southend got off to a flyer.  There was one chance off Hull in the early overs, but Horswill let a simple chance through his hands at slip.  Yet another reason to hate trips to Southend for Horswill.

Southend were 44 without loss after just 6 overs.  Degg was removed from the attack and replaced by Bell.  Bell struck with a double wicket maiden in his first over, caught behind by Philippe, and an LBW.   

Hull was taken off after 6 overs (0-27) having bowled well, and Degg was brought on from the end with no site screen.  He was a little more effective, taking a wicket with a catch by Maxwell, finishing the day with 6-0-51-1. 

Spin was introduced with Southend 102 for 3 after 18 overs.  A good run rate, but needing to protect their wickets.

Walker struck in his second over, but with 15 runs coming from his first over after the drinks break replaced himself with Horswill.  Walker finishing with 4-0-23-1.

Humphries was exerting much more control and gradually started to take wickets.  He got the opener Holmwood LBW after a good knock of 64, and Walker took a good catch to dismiss the number 7.

Horswill found yet another reason to hate trips to Southend as he bowled a variety of wides, some on the leg side, some on the off side, nine in total.  He got a few pretty straight though and picked up a wicket with a juggling catch by Humphries, finishing with 4-0-29-1.

In his last over, Humphries repeated Bell’s earlier feat, taking a double wicket maiden to finish 9-1-26-4.

Bell was brought back on and cleaned up the number 11 with a second catch by Philippe, finishing with 6.4-1-28-3.

Tom Philippe opened Brentwood’s innings with Emmanuel.  Philippe looked in very good touch, racing to double figures, before edging a simple catch to the slips.  Judging from his reaction afterwards, I think he regards trips to Southend similarly to Horswill.

Maxwell joined Emmanuel and the pair put on 90 for the second wicket to take the game away from Southend.  Emmanuel (who had earlier dropped two catches much to the chagrin of his watching father) wanted to deliver a birthday present of a 50 for his dad but fell 8 runs short for 42.

Maxwell was joined by Boon, who contributed 2, and was then replaced by Bell who contributed 12. At this stage it was all about Maxwell, who was batting with increasing confidence.  He built momentum, hitting shots around the wicket, and finished the match with 81 not out from 96 deliveries.

With Bell’s dismissal Horswill had entered the fray with just 10 needed for the win.  Horswill enjoyed a couple of half volleys and helped himself to 10 not out.  Not enough to change his opinion of trips to Southend though!

Wins for Wanstead and Chelmsford mean it continues to be very tight at the top.  A local derby at home to Shenfield awaits next week.