4th XI Vs South Woodford

Brentwood  254-6 declared South Woodford 204-4 Match Drawn.

On a glorious day with the sun beating down and the pitch looking flat, captain Dan Ranns won the toss and elected to bat. Brooks and A Maxwell used their years of experience to make full use of the conditions to tick along at about 4 an over until Brooks got a low ball, and was found to be standing in front of middle stump as the ball hit him on the shin and was out for 30.

Luke Ranns joined Maxwell at the crease and once again the score kept ticking along with Ranns once again getting runs until he departed, run out for 31.

By this time Maxwell was enjoying himself bludgeoning a wonderful 6 to cow corner and stroking the ball through the covers on regular occasions. A lot of people were saying he is the best batsman in the Maxwell family and maybe the best looking?

Maxwell finally departed for a marvellous 104, leaving the new stockier version of Philpott and the new taller version of Morris to keep the score moving along. Morris got out and 4th team debutant Cobb hit a few lusty blows and Brentwood finally declared on 254-6.

The declaration seemed about right. With the pitch playing well and one boundary down the hill being very short it would have been a bit of a gamble to declare much earlier but with South Woodford only having 10 players Brentwood were feeling confident as they ate tea.

Cobb and young Torrado opened the bowling  both taking a wicket each but only Sra and Payne senior added to the wickets as 9 bowlers were used. None of the bowlers bowled badly but none of the bowlers bowled really well. A couple of catches were dropped and South Woodford eventually ended up on 204-4 with Rehman finishing on 106 not out.

Maybe the biggest positive out of the match was how deflated the team felt at not winning. Confidence is growing and the 4th team seems to be getting a bit stronger. Roll on next week.

Mick Payne