By Jack Fantham

Northchurch 2XI began their league campaign away at King’s Langley 2XI, looking to start the season with a win in what is expected to be a competitive Division 7B.

NCC legend Steve Bateman arrived to a wet and windy Kings Langley straight off the Golf course, taking one quick look at conditions before announcing “I’m too old for this”. Whilst the average age of the starting XI might have agreed with him, our batting line-up did not. However, fortunate for NCC, Jack Randall was ready to step into the breach.

Kings Langley won the toss in a match reduced to a 41:41, and much to the surprise of NCC, elected to bat on a pretty soggy wicket. Starting steadily, our opening bowlers controlled the beginning of the innings, with Johnson looking dangerous and Thackeray finding some beautiful rhythm. After some lusty blows, Kings Langley opener Warrell (and his new bat) both met their end - Johnson notching his first league wicket of the season as he progressed past the 550 wicket mark for the club.

NCC set the tone in the field, building consistent spells of pressure which ultimately led to the departure of Naeem; Chapman gobbling up the catch off the bowling of Johnson. At 37-2 after 11, NCC had started strongly.

KL looked to build, with Casey and Colquhoun rotating the strike until a chance off the bowling of Sweeten was put down by Fantham, away to his right. Fortunately for the new Vice-Captain, the very next ball popped off the bat of Casey straight up in the air; coming down and nestling into his rather relieved hands. Never in doubt.

After the departure of Casey, KL captain and uni friend (ooh uni friend) of Johnson - J. Hutchings - came to the crease. Determined to build a score, he dug in and showed his team how to bat in the conditions, scoring a well constructed 58 not out as KL grafted to finish on 145-8. Only Colquhoun (15) and Khayam (11) were really able to support their skipper at the crease, with Dawson (8-1-32-2) and Johnson (9-1-29-2) removing each batsman respectively. With superb bowling performances and figures throughout, mentions must go to Sunni (4-0-8-1; whilst fasting!), Chapman (8-0-31-1), Thackeray (5-0-15-0), and Sweeten (7-0-30-1).

With NCC skipper Jimmy Smart quietly content from his team’s fielding performance, Randall and Fantham set out to help the team on its way towards a tricky but ultimately achievable 146 to win. The route to victory seemed, as always, simple: work the singles, punish the bad ball, and keep wickets in the shack for the back end of the chase.

Unfortunately, I (Jack Fantham) didn’t get the memo - attempting to sweep a ball which held up slightly before catching the top edge and somehow picking out KL’s rather tall 2nd slip with a flyer (3-1 from 3 overs). Oops.

Thankfully for myself, Randall and the incoming James Kelly developed a nice partnership of 55 before the former was bowled on the offensive for 44, falling just short of his 50. Jude James, superb with the gloves, unfortunately, fell foul to the wicket, departing for 4 caught and bowled. With NCC 79-3 from 19 overs, the pressure was starting to build; KL increasingly hopeful of victory.

Captain Smart came bounding over to the crease, eager and ready to deliver a captain’s innings and secure the 30 points. Fortunately for the number five batsman, KL could not hang on to either of two early aerial chances from Smart. He proceeded to punish some loose bowling and rejuvenate the innings. After a mature knock, Kelly (A.K.A. Laser, known as such for what can only be described as a gun right arm) was bowled for 21, leaving NCC sweating at 80-4 from 20 overs.

Chapman came to the crease looking to add impetus to NCC’s reply, however fell caught and bowled for 5 trying to work one through midwicket. NCC stood at 100-5 from 27 overs.

In the words of Bonnie Tyler, Northchurch Cricket Club need[ed] a hero.

Entering the fray, Matt Dawson. Blocking the straight ball, and utilising his trusty cut and efficient pull to perfection, Dawson proved to be the perfect partner for Smart; approaching the situation with maturity and diligence. Unfazed by the pressure, Dawson (22) and Smart (34) put on a partnership of 46.

This helped NCC towards a more comfortable-than-it-seemed final score of 146-5 from 34.4 overs. A good win.