3rd XI Vs Chelmsford

Penultimate match of the season. Possibly the youngest 3rd XI cricket team in Essex were at home against an organised Chelmsford side. Remarkably, Chelmsford gave Brentwood a real sniff of victory, as they only just managed to chase down Brentwood’s 220 in the final over of the match due to some surprising performances by the young stars. 

Availability was a serious issue in the lead-up to this game, with huge gaps left in the absence of Balroop, Degg, Bainbridge and Dave Smith to name but a few. An almost certain departure would have been skipper Sonny Willis, however he flew back from his holiday in Spain to play. (No excuses for unavailability for anybody next week, boys).  

Youngsters Alex Berry and Jack Levy were shocked to discover the concept of having to do ‘chores’ before a match, both must have assumed that the rope rolled itself out before the start of each match. 

After winning the toss and batting first, Brentwood got off to a solid start, seeing off the early movement with the new ball. Once set, Dawes and Willis found ways to be aggressive with low risk by smashing it over the top of mid-on and mid-off. Any mental baggage must have been left in Spain or Heathrow as Willis got a well-made 40.

Nigel Bacon was out for a duck, sending in Jack Payne. Jack stayed with Dawes who reached his fifty and start batting ever more aggressively. This rekindled memories of watching Dawesy smashing matchplay teams into the trees. He eventually holed out to a man in the deep on 73.

Luke Brailey and Jack ticked the run rate along until Jack was stumped off the off spinner for 29. Maxwell failed to get in and was also stumped off the same bowler. At this rate, the innings was burning out, until Ewan Smith got in and played a very useful hand, being prepared to sacrifice his wicket to score runs. This included two successful dil-scoops and one six. 

Eventually Brentwood got to 220 after Luke, Arun Gautam and Jack Levy were run out -  quite a competitive with there still being a little in the pitch.

After a good tea, Brentwood were out in the field. With a wicket in the first over bowled by Maxwell, Brentwood got off to a very good start. Alex Berry shared the new ball at the other end and almost bowled too well for the other opener to nick it. 

Except from the one early breakthrough, Brentwood did not get off to a blazing start, as although not leaking too many runs, Chelmsford still laid the foundations to chase down the total.

Ewan Smith came on first change and bowled seam to later dismiss the other opening batsman, but Brentwood shelled a chance to dismiss the Chelmsford No3 which would prove costly. 

Jack Levy also bowled well, with some balls pitching on leg and missing the outside edge, but the occasional bad ball was punished. The No3 batsman, despite looking fairly ordinary at times and being dropped several times, was getting to a big score. 

Due to the match being a timed game, Chelmsford needed to get the runs within 45 overs. Even after losing a few batsmen, they played smartly, taking a number of twos to fielders.

A crucial moment was when their No5 was past fifty and skied a chance, but Arun was unable to get near it as he pulled a muscle in his leg. Sonny then put him in a fly slip position just to save a single off the edge, not for the catch. With almost an air of inevitability, the very next ball was hit straight to Arun and he caught it without having to move. When Sonny then said in the huddle: “Even though you’re not there for the catch...” Arun was left slightly perplexed as if he had done something wrong. 

At this point, the non-striker on 65 and the new batsman needed to get 10 runs. The last ball of the over was smacked away over point for a one bounce four, leaving the non-striker to finish the job. The first ball was full and cleverly dug out, beating third man for four, the second was a yorker which was blocked out and the last was a high full toss which was also hit down to third man. 

In the end, Brentwood were at least 20 runs light despite great knocks by Sam Dawes and Sonny Willis, as well as very convincing knocks by Jack Payne, Luke and Ewan. Disappointing to lose, despite Brentwood sneaking away with 10 points.

Results elsewhere at least meant Premier Division cricket was guaranteed for another season with one game to go - away at Hutton. 

Report by Cameron Maxwell

http://essexcl.play-cricket.com/website/results/2694197