2nd XI Vs Shenfield

The last league game of the season is a sign of impending Autumn.  Maybe we should blame global warming, but the weather at Shenfield was cold, windy and wet.  Truly Autumnal! Shenfield had a glimmer of hope of avoiding relegation if they could bat first and claim 25 points.  Shenfield won the toss and chose to bat.

Inspirational skipper Walker had a strong bowling line up available, but Shenfield batted well.  They gave very few chances and there were 67 on the board before Bell picked up the first wicket in the 20th over.  Walter and skipper Burgess then built a very strong stand of 147. Walter brought up his century off 111 balls, but was bowled by Humphries for 110 the ball after Sach had spilled him on the boundary.

Shenfield skipper Burgess had a lot to think about as he closed in on a century.  What would be a good target?  Should he put the personal glory of a century ahead of the teams interests?  Did he have the bowling to set a competitive target?

His Shenfield teammates were worried about the depth of the bowling resources and supported his decision to set a large target.  Burgess was dropped on 83 by Sach on the boundary but soon thereafter brought up his century from 97 balls, prompting the declaration on 291 for 2 from 50 overs.

Shenfield had only given two chances, and the bowling had an end of season feel to it, with too many short balls.  It was fitting to see Humphries take a wicket as he finished the 3rd leading wicket taker in the 2s premier division, and Matt Bell who finished as 8th leading wicket taker in the 2s premier division.  (absentee Richard Horswill finished 9th leading wicket taker). 

The notable fielding performers were George Wingrove at cover, stopping runs by throwing himself around a la Peter Cech, and Chris Boon Senior patrolling down the slope (in a position closest to the bar).  Boon made one great sliding stop kicking the ball mid air away from the boundary (a la Darren Anderson, but without an injury).  

Maxwell also showed how committed he is as a fielder stopping one firmly hit drive with his cheek as it flew off a drain cover.  Lesson for next season - use your hands!

The mood was miserable over an excellent tea, a reluctance to take the field against a high total on a cold day setting the tone for our top order batsmen,

Sach had batted well last week, but a six ball duck completed a miserable day for him.  Dougie Maxwell joined Kieran Emmanuel at the crease. With more than 1100 runs between them in the 2s premier league during the season much was expected.  Sadly this was a day when both failed to deliver, Kieran out for 7 and Dougie out for 16.  Doug finished as the leading run scorer in the 2s premier division, with 712 runs at an average of 65.

Richard Walford was deemed LBW for a duck and Brentwood’s run chase was crumbling at 39 for 4.

Matt Bell was joined at the crease by Paul Humphries.  Losing early wickets meant Brentwood had to consolidate, which with such a large target frustrated Shenfield who wanted all out attack to give them the chance of wickets.

Both batted well, as Brentwood came back into the game.  At drinks Brentwood were on 85.  Humphries optimistically declared that Brentwood could do this.  207 from 20 overs seemed an impossible ask.  

Bell brought up his half century from 63 deliveries, and a little later Humphries started to accelerate, bringing up his half century from 72 deliveries.  Gradually momentum built, and as Brentwood lashed out, Shenfield started to panic in the field, with a series of half chances spilled.  Humphries hit 53 off his last 28 deliveries before falling caught and bowled for 82 as he went aerial.  A fine partnership of 196 from 167 deliveries,

Matt Bell brought up his century off 96 balls, finishing 108 not out.  This knock pushed him to 3rd leading run scorer in the 2s premier division, with 570 runs at an average of 57. Billy Hull lashed a quickfire 36 not out from just 15 deliveries, as the Brentwood innings closed 18 runs short of the target.

Ultimately a disappointing end to the season with two draws meant Brentwood finished 3rd in the division.  Looking back on the season Walker has delivered on his promise of giving opportunities to his younger players.  Thanks to Steve for his umpiring which has helped support the “professional” atmosphere that Walker wanted to build.