Report by Tom Phillippe

http://brentwood.play-cricket.com/website/results/2427350

Saturday 6th of July saw the Brentwood 1XI travel to Loughton on one of the best days of weather we have had on a Saturday in a long while. After arriving and looking at the wicket, the younger members of the side were treated to a master class by the older members of the team in the football warm up, despite the older team consisting of Belly and a Kiwi, neither of whom are known for their footballing prowess.

After much deliberation around what to do if we won the toss, Brentwood were to bat first on what looked a good wicket on a small ground. Loughton struck early, the dismissal of Tom Phillippe in the 4th over leaving Brentwood 8-1, and after Tom Oakley played some lovely strokes he was also removed adjudged caught and bowled despite there appearing to be significant doubt. Whilst Oakley prowled and growled around the boundary Aaron West also fell cheaply and the score was at 25-3.  In need of a partnership, Jon Walford and James Redwood dug in but kept scoring at a reasonable rate. A partnership soon formed and Walford then went past his 50 supported brilliantly by Redwood at the other end. Redwood was finally dismissed for a well batted 38 bringing Peter Younghusband to the crease to support Walford who was now 65 not out. Walford then decided that it was time to accelerate and soon speed  to 87 before finally being dismissed for what was a wonderful innings and very elegant to watch, including 13 fours. Captain Joe Buttleman then came in and hit one of the shots of the day hitting a 6 into the Loughton library and the cameos from Buttleman (29), YoungHusband (23), Charlie Griffiths (11) and Kieron Emmanuel saw the final score reach 228ao in 63.1 overs.

After a quick change around the team came out ready to take wickets in a big session before tea. Buttleman took the new ball with Jake Wickham who both looked like taking a wicket with every ball.  With the score on 27-0 Wickham struck the outside edge of the bat and the ball went through into Redwood’s gloves.  The next wicket fell 10 balls later when Buttleman found the edge of the number 3’s bat dismissing him for 0.  At 42-2 there looked like a partnership could form but Wickham struck again removing the Loughton overseas for 28 to take the score to 42-3. Buttleman struck twice in an over to make the score 55-5. Tea then came and a partnership formed as the score moved to 99-5 before Ian Belchamber trapped their number 7 in front of all three. Griffiths then got in on the wicket-taking act to remove the only recognised batsman left, and at 111-7 wickets began to fall very quickly.  The score moved to 117-8 before Belchamber got another one making it 117-8, Griffiths picked up another in the next over, and then Belchamber struck again leaving Loughton 117ao and the last 3 wickets falling without a run being added. Wickets shared between Buttleman (3), Wickham (2), Griffiths (2) and Belchamber (3).

Another win sees Brentwood 3rd in the table just 9 points adrift of 1st place. Next week sees Harold Wood travel to the Old County Ground where hopefully the team can keep the pressure on at the top of the table.