1st XI Vs Upminster - ECB National Cup Round 2

Brentwood were on the road again on a cold and breezy day to face an Upminster side on a high from an opening day victory.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, looking to utilise the powerful hitting in their top order. In a similar scenario to the day before Brentwood found themselves up against aggressive opening batsmen who chanced their arm at every opportunity. At 97-0 after just 14 overs the away fans may have thought that it was not to be, but enter the skipper Joe Buttleman. In a devastating 9 over spell the medium pacer bowled with a mixture of aggression and skill, to reduce the home side to 116-4 in a dazzling burst that stopped the innings in its tracks. Buttleman was supported emphatically by the silver fox Ian Belchamber who bowled 4 maidens in his first 5 overs. Runs were becoming increasingly hard to come by, and by the time Buttleman’s spell ended with figures of 4-26 off his allotted 9 Upminster were up a certain creek without a certain paddle. The veteran Belchamber ended with a Tim Smith-esque 1-10 off 9.

New boy and banking enthusiast Charlie Griffiths, who endured some harsh treatment in his first spell, came back into the attack impressively only going for only a single off his last 5 overs, and accompanied well at the death by Osborne and the snood wearing Moore Brentwood were left chasing a moderate total of 171 to progress.

Jon Walford was the foundation around which Brentwood built their run chase. After some good fortune early on, he compiled a wonderfully composed 77 with some trademark strokes. The batting epitome of all things aesthetic David Hammond provided support, as did Aaron West before fittingly Buttleman hit the winning runs on the leg side to cap off a fine weekend.

Brentwood will need to be at their best next weekend to avoid being hoisted by their own petard as they face a good South Woodford at the OCG.