If you've been following the exploits of England's cricketers this season you'd notice that their batting is rather inconsistent. Some big scores dotted around the place but the ability to collapse.

That has been a similar story for Northchurch 2s this season who deservedly achieved promotion, but it was a campaign which didn't go without some nervy moments.

If anything summed up their season, then it was the batting collapse than ensued against good bowling at the Meadow on Saturday.

On occasions this season, the 2s have fallen away with the bat - something which offers a large explanation as to why, in the end, they failed to challenge Offley and Stopsley for top spot.

There have been some stand-out performances with the willow from the likes of Jack Randall and Ryan Smart in 2018, but the strong bowling unit, who have dealt with bowling first in very hot conditions throughout the majority of the summer have also got the team in strong positions.

Although against Northwood on Saturday they went for 318 runs, they picked up the eight wickets and points needed to achieve promotion without having to worry about other results.

Things weren't going their way, but it was a testament to the side that they kept plugging away. Like England this summer, they found a way to get over the line, securing third place and promotion to division 8a despite not being at their best in the final two weeks.

Bowling first, as became nigh on certainty for the 2s this year, the tone for a lacklustre first 30 overs was set with a failed run-out attempt early on.

Fozan Haji looked to call his opening partner Ravi Ramawat through for a single, but as it was turned down Matt Dawson had a simple opportunity to throw into the gloves of Ben Towler for an early wicket.

The throw, however, was poor and the chance went begging. It was an early glance at just how difficult Northchurch would find things.

But the first batsman back in the hutch would come in rather unfortunate circumstances. David Vila bowled a short-pitched ball to Haji and as he looked to pull it away edged it into his own face. The opener wasn't wearing a helmet and as a result was forced to retire hurt.

The Northwood number three wasn't to last long, with Vila bowling a lovely ball which clattered into Pradip Pandey's stumps as he departed for a single. Northchurch had their first wicket and point on the board.

The second fell soon after, with Calum Lindsay troubling another Northwood batsman with some short bowling. It wasn't a particularly nasty delivery, but Lindsay was to remove Ramawat with a ball which got up around shoulder height and hurried him into the shot, leaving a simple catch for Dawson at square leg.

It was a wicket which sparked controversy, Ramawat wasn't happy and then after another short ball from Lindsay, there were heated discussions over the rules.

But that wasn't to matter as the third wicket partnership of Sheikh and Butt were to pile on a huge partnership worth over 200 runs.

The former creamed some delightful shots to all parts of the ground as he scored a brilliant century. No bowler seemed to have an answer with both Harry Chapman and Dawson going the distance.

It looked as though the eight points and wickets required for promotion were never going to come. Shots from both Sheikh and Butt were piercing the field on a regular basis and after both Randall and Vila returned without much joy, Chapman was forced into trying something different.

He and Joel James came into the attack, packed the boundary with fielders and tossed the ball up in an attempt to draw some loose shots. Fortunately, that is exactly what happened.

Chapman started the party, picking up his first wicket as he finally removed Sheikh for 125. He looked to hit a huge shot over cow corner but Dawson took a good catch in the deep.

That wicket rallied Northchurch and Chapman had his second at an important time. Butt also tried to go big but picked out Ben Pyne as he was out for 73.

Patel showed more positivity with the bat, hitting James for a few boundaries but he eventually got his man, removing him LBW for 31.

With five overs remaining, the 2s still needed three wickets to confirm promotion. Chapman claimed the sixth, and his 200th for the club, by having Rabi Motiwala caught by Lindsay and then Harry Bennie got in on the act too.

He drew Naqui into playing a poor shot and Ben Pyne moved to his left to claim another catch as Northchurch moved to within one wicket.

With Sheikh and Butt at the crease eight wickets never looked on the cards but James turned dreams into reality with a matter of overs remaining in the first innings, Shah looping the ball straight into the safe hands of Vila.

Northwood may have scored over 300, but it sparked a big celebration from the home players as they finally picked up an eighth point.

In reply, Nortchurch's chase was rather underwhelming. Randall hit a six and multiple fours but with three wickets down he was the only one who had scored any runs.

Pyne and Lindsay were removed for ducks by the swinging ball of Patel whilst Fantham also departed for zero after being bowled by Shah.

Any hope of getting remotely close to the total was then evaporated when Randall was given out LBW for 39.

James was also removed for a duck by Shah but there was some resistance offered by Towler and Dawson. Towler hit three 4s before being removed for 12 whilst Dawson struck one more boundary on his way to 17 before being bowled by Patel who claimed his sixth victim.

His fifth had been that of the skipper as Chapman received a yorker first ball which bowled him whilst Bennie was removed LBW by Shah who picked up three wickets.

There was still time for Ali Fantham to hit some big shots but the defeat was sealed in the 28th over as he was caught on the boundary for 27 - Northchurch being bowled out for 131.

A defeat by 187 runs wasn't how the 2s would have wanted to have finished the season but with promotion sealed you'd be forgiven for thinking the thoughts of the batsmen weren't elsewhere.

The second XI finished the season with 401 points, winning 11 of their 18 matches en route to gaining promotion.

Man of the match: Harry Chapman for persevering with the ball and claiming three important wickets which helped Northchurch wrap up promotion.