2nds promoted AND Div. 6 Champions

Having secured promotion to Division 5 last week, a strong 2nd XI line-up ticked the last remaining box beside the season's objectives by comfortably beating Linton Park in the last game of the league season to become Division 6 Champions.

Skipper Hall (junior) played to the team's strength by winning the toss and bowling first, a decision soon vindicated by his opening bowlers. Dru found good movement to take two early wickets, aided by some brilliant catching from Jason in the slips. At the other end, Matt Talbot bowled an immaculate line and length to concede just 4 runs in 6 overs! Neither was there any respite as first Max (4 for 30 from 9 overs) and then Lucas (2 for 14 from 7) joined the attack. As usual, the fielding and catching were excellent with Nat grabbing 3 behind the stumps. The Pauls (Howard and Tunstall) took one apiece to finish off the innings on 98 in the 40th over.

Linton Park are at a similar stage of team building to the Outwood of 2 years ago. They have some very promising young bowlers who, if they can keep them, will provide a stern test in years to come. However, at a required rate of only 2.5 runs/over Outwood were in no particular hurry and after a steady start were able to up the rate to overtake the required total in the 24th over for the solitary loss of James for 22. In completing an unbeaten 50, Paul Howard became the leading run scorer for the season (257 at an average of 36.7), overtaking Keith by just 8 runs (249 @ 35.6).

A highly successful season in which all of the 31 players who represented the 2nds in at least one game should give themselves a well-deserved pat on the back. A great team effort. Same again next year?