Brookweald 2nd XI vs Woodham Mortimer CC, 2nd XI

Brookweald 2nd XI made the journey up the A12 this week to visit Woodham Mortimer 2nd XI at the picturesque Pheasants Park. With some rain in the air, Brookweald were asked to bat first on what looked like a good batting track. The Brookweald opening pair of Mills and Wolfe made a watchful start due to the quick and tight opening salvo from Creswell and Sharif. Sharif, in particular, found some bounce to trouble the Weald openers. However, Mills, on his return to cricket, and the wall that is Wolfe battled away to take the Weald total past 150. Wolfe eventually falling for a fine 61. Woodham gained a foothold in the match by taking 2 quick wickets to get into the Weald middle order. However, Mills continued with his innings in swashbuckling style, making a magical century—a masterful display of cutting and pulling—eventually falling to Tripathi for a magnificent 110. Other than a quickfire 41 from Kumar and a stout 13 from Joyce, the excellent Woodham attack never really let Weald get away. Tight, energetic fielding also contributed to Weald posting a competitive total of 248 off the allotted 45 overs.

Woodham openers Cook & Payne set about the reply in stoic fashion, nullifying the early overs from Craine and Heppel. Seeing the Woodham total progress to 108 for the loss of Cook, keeping the run rate in check and looking increasingly comfortable. A superb piece of fielding once again from Yasin, throwing down the stumps, gave Weald the breakthrough, removing the dangerous-looking Ian Ball. The innings remained tightly balanced, with Yasin bowling economically and Payne batting watchfully, keeping the game on a knife's edge. Power hitting from Ali, with a quickfire 21, and Payne looking increasingly ominous passing his 50, Woodham threatened to take the game away from Brookweald. However, Harvey, backed up by some excellent fielding, made the breakthrough, removing both Ali and Payne. With Wolfe bowling tight and effecting another superb run out, and Harvey taking another wicket, Isa and Creswell came to the crease for what would be a tense final 4 overs, eventually leaving 14 required from the final over bowled by Harvey. Isa, on strike, battled bravely through the over, clearly feeling unwell from the heat, falling agonisingly 2 runs short, giving the win to Brookweald.

This was a fantastic game of cricket; this is what we all play the game for. Two well-matched teams playing hard cricket and then sharing a beer or two afterward. Well played to both teams.