The 1st XI was slightly shocked by the quality of Bayford and Hertford’s performance at the meadow, as their feast and famine availability reached peak feastness. Batting first, Saf Khan's 76 and Gaz’s quick 40 helped Northchurch secure the nine points needed to guarantee promotion. The Bayford and Hertford openers batted out of their skins on a very flat pitch to nibble 173 off the 243 total without losing a wicket. One point now separates Northchurch and Hoddesdon at the top, with next week’s away match effectively representing our cup final. Match report.

Exiles in a hurry

Northampton Exiles seemed keen to get back up north before dark as they chased down the 2nd XI’s 182 in 30 overs. A solid partnership of 90 from Chapman and Fidler in the middle order had given the visiting Northchurch boys something to bowl at, however, much like for their first team colleagues, it was a tough afternoon in the field. Incidentally, Chapman & Fidler seems like an ideal name for a business, perhaps a high-end genitourinary medicine clinic?

Sunday T20 side bows out at the semis

Northchurch found themselves at finals day for the third time in as many years, with Old Elizabethans in the second semi of the day. The winners would face the home team, Broxbourne, who had dispatched St Albans in the morning. Asked to field first, NCC struggled to keep the run rate much below eight until the ball softened a touch and began to stick in the surface. A fantastic performance in the second ten overs restricted the div 2a side to 130. Quite gettable.

Old E’s, runners up to Northchurch in the 2017 final, bowled with great control and a defensive field. The pressure built on Northchurch, and early wickets fell. The loss of Garraway left a lot for Bexon to do, as he achieved a precarious toe-tip foothold in the game and hit NCC’s first boundary in the 12th over. Despite a very good fifty from him, Northchurch fell a few runs short. Old E’s would go on to win the final.

Youth shines in the Sunday 2nds

Once again our young players excelled and represented the club superbly well, however, we were unable to contain Ebury strollers in their chase. The game had been set up with 50s from Mike and Joel James, the latter teeing off with three maximums. The bowling was led by Ben, who took two early wickets to keep Northchurch interested, while Jacob provided the champagne moment at the other end with a stunning caught and bowled.

Presentation Evenings

We will be celebrating all of the 2019 effort, voluntary contributions and achievements at NCC this weekend. Junior awards will be presented on Friday, bar from 6.15. Senior awards will be after the final league games of the season.

Results

Sat: 1st XI home v Bayford and Hertford – lost by 9 wickets
2nd XI away v Northampton Exiles – lost by 8 wickets

Sun: 1st XI away v Old Elizabethans (T20 semi final) lost by 20 runs
2nd XI away v Ebury Strollers - lost

Fixtures This Week

Wednesday: Senior training

Sat: 2nd XI home v Northwood Town 2nd XI
1st XI away v Eversholt

Sun: Ronak's Georges V Forshaw's Dragons - intrac lub T20