2nd XI Vs Wanstead

In a low scoring game, there are always if’s and but’s about what may have made a difference.  But in a hard fought match Wanstead deserved the win.

With Paul Humphries returned to the 2s after a successful stint with the 1s, Brentwood were optimistic of getting a win which would have opened up a gap at the top of the table.

The warm up went well, as news filtered through of England’s resounding Ashes victory, and a warm sun was beating down.  Key highlights of the vigorous warm up was concern whether an always injured Richard Walford would make it to the end of the warm up without suffering a further injury (he did), there was also the sight of Boon Senior doing a heel touching routine to his baritone rendition of “Bring me Sunshine”, a comedic moment lost on many of the young team who are too young to have heard of Morecambe and Wise.

Anthony Giles led the warm up though one exhortation to “throw it soft, like my grandma” confused me.  Surely Yorkies do not throw their Grandmas?

The great leader Walker won the toss and elected to bat first on a well worn pitch (used during Wanstead's cricket week).

Sach trudged off early again.  As in a previous game where he rehearsed being out the ball before he was out, he did it again.  A booming in-swinger was well left, as it just missed the top of the stumps.  He left the next ball, also a booming in-swinger and was a little surprised to see his middle stump uprooted.

Emmanuel and Maxwell then put on a decent stand, but both fell for 30, along with Bell for a duck (another booming in-swinger) as Brentwood collapsed to 76 for 4.  The two Richard’s (Walford and Horswill) led a good recovery, but both fell to spin when looking to up the tempo, Walford for 22 and Horswill top scorer with 38.  After that we had a few lusty blows from Walker (19) and Hull (18) but a total of 188 looked a little under par.

Brentwood had to make early inroads, and the opening pair of Giles and Hull each picked up a wicket.  With the spin of Walker and Humphries introduced Wanstead wickets tumbled as Humphries picked up three wickets (including a good stumping by Emmanuel, and catches by Emmanuel and Sach).

Wanstead were 60 for 5 and reeling.

Youngsters Nabeel Aziz and Jack Lord then lead a gradual recovery.  Walker opted to take himself and Humphries off and keep them for the death overs.  Bell and Horswill were both milked for a few runs, before Lord started hitting out when set.  

Walker brought on Boon senior, and tried a couple of Giles overs to break the partnership.  Eventually Boon had Lord caught for 48 from 49 deliveries by Giles.  A very good innings, which had kept Wanstead well in the game with 48 needed for victory from the last 9 overs.  

Big hitter Mahesh Velani (the spitting image of his better known brother Kishen) tried to smash everything, there was one huge six, and a drop on the boundary by Giles.  Aziz was caught by Humphries off Boon, but Wanstead scored the winning runs with one over to spare.  

Humphries with 3 for 34, and Boon Senior with 2 for 38 had been the main men with the ball.

In an close game there are always reflections on what might have been:

• Walker had three overs unbowled, would he have made a difference;
• Should Brentwood have kept the senior bowlers on when Wanstead were 5 down?
• Would the drop by Giles late in the game made any difference if taken?

My personal frustration (surrounded by boisterous Wanstead players) was that we had again let ourselves down with wides, 19 by Brentwood compared to 9 by Wanstead. 

We have used the 2s this season to give emerging young players experience of hard fought cricket to a good standard.  This match is part of that cricketing education.

Next week sees Chelmsford visit the OCG as timed games return.  With the uncertainties of timed games and the need to force results, there remains enough matches for Brentwood to pull back Wanstead’s 12 point gap - but only if we can beat Chelmsford.