2nd XI Run Fest

The 2nds have often found runs hard to come by this season, finding 100 plenty to have to chase down. Not so on Saturday as they almost posted 300 after being invited to bat by Hadlow. Mind you, losing Paul Jackson for 0 in the first over wasn't a great start. Few would have predicted that the next wicket would fall at 264 - surely a 2nd XI record for the second wicket?

Keith Hall joined opener James Malley to repair the damage of the first over, slowly at first against tight bowling but gradually picking up the pace against a tiring fielding side. Hadlow were short of players and despite being loaned a fielder by the Outwood skipper the lightening fast outfield was hard to cover with less than a full team. Keith reached his ton first, about the same time that James reached 50, but the latter then pressed the pedal to the floor and his second 50 came in very short time. Keith eventually departed for 116 to allow son Marcus to join Dad for the last 2 overs. Marcus' lively 22 from 8 balls left Hadlow thankful they hadn't brought him to the crease earlier.

Hadlow may have been short of players but they were not short of quality. Despite the loss of one opener, they cruised to 120 - 1 before the introduction of Guy Bignell brought 2 quick wickets with some interesting variations. A good pitch and fast outfield meant the scoring rate remained high although a large number of runs came off the edge. The Outwood bowlers toiled hard in batsman-friendly conditions and wickets were shared around. Eventually Hadlow were bowled out for 227 in the last over of the day and we retired to the bar to drink the health of our two centurions.