2s beat B&H to regain top spot.
The 2s travelled to the Nevill looking to prevent a third defeat in a row following disappointing performances vs Ansty and St James in previous weeks. This they did in fine style beating a strong B&H 3s to take maximum points and regain top spot in a tight Sussex Div 6 Central League.
B&H won the toss and as we would have done elected to bat on the Nevill 2nd pitch, what was a good wicket, but with a quick outfield and small boundaries down the hill. B&H clearly had a good side out with a number of previously selected 2s in their side and we needed to get off to a good start with the ball.
Duncan Jenkinson and Luke Chafer looked good vs the new ball partnership of Akeem Ifill and Dan Rapson taking the score to 48 at a run a ball when Rapson had Shafer caught by the bucket hands of the returning Jack Simpson at cover, on the second attempt! Fergus Guppy joined Jenkinson and both batted well against Barnes and Simpson (1-29) who bowled 14 overs up the hill. Guppy was bowled by a good ball from Simpson to make it 80-2, then Jenkinson followed to an excellent one handed caught and bowled from Bobby. Bobby (3-33) removed Statham caught at cover, then skipper Dave Marks caught behind and suddenly B&H were 101-5. Skipper Matt Charman picked up another and Dan Maskell (2-33) had the dangerous Tyler Hounsome caught from a skier well held by young Jack Smart who had a cracking day with the gloves. B&H were 138-7 and rocking having been in a great position earlier but as is our custom some fielding errors prevented us wrapping up the innings early as we dropped three late catches, including Moses Brazil who made the most of our generosity for 32 n/o. The last three wickets were eventually taken by Akeem (2-18) and Masky, the last being a good stumping from Jacko and the innings closed with B&H all out 176.
This was an excellent effort given the pitch and outfield and 176 looked short of par by maybe 40 runs but it was up to us to make sure we didn’t let it slip and got the runs.
Teddy and Wickers did a great job opening up and were aggressive in shots and their running making 54 before Wickwar was caught behind. Akeem came to the crease and played his customary great to watch innings for 33 before holing out, and when Dan Austin and then Teddy (for an excellent 41) were both out we were 108-4. Our run rate wasn’t an issue so it was simply a case of getting the runs. Jack Simpson was joined by Matt Charman and at first rebuilt slowly before Simpson in particular started to play freely and took the score to 152 when Charman was LBW to a quicker ball from Shiv Singh. Simpson continued to look untroubled taking the scores level before giving his wicket up trying to hit the winning runs. But the damage was already done by his fine innings of 43. Jack Smart, 13, decided with scores level and the field up the best thing to do was to waltz down the wicket and smash the spinner for four, for the win! Delightful to watch. We got over the line 6 down but in only 30 overs, a great way to win a game. Teddy and Wickers got us off to a good start and we built on that well for 30 points.
Jack Smart had a fine day but the other Jack took the MOM for an excellent bowling spell and decisive runs with the bat.
Excellent response to two defeats from the boys and we move onto another local derby at SJP vs an improving Lindfield side this weekend.