Northchurch CC 2nd XI hosted Great Gaddesden CC 1st XI at The Meadow on 23rd May 2026.

Great Gaddesden won the toss and elected to field. The afternoon offered pristine conditions for cricket at The Meadow, with a fast outfield and a dry pitch providing an ideal platform for a high-scoring encounter.

The Northchurch innings was a showcase of batting depth and composure, finishing on a formidable 254/3 from 40 overs. Richard Reid provided the early momentum, scoring a fluent 41 as part of an 84-run opening stand. This platform allowed Michael Buttleman to anchor the innings with a superb 76. As the innings progressed, Joel James and Harry Bennie took the game away from the visitors with an explosive partnership. James remained unbeaten on 71, while Bennie's rapid contribution ensured the team set a target well beyond the reach of the opposition.

• Michael Buttleman: 76 runs (90 balls, 12 fours).
• Joel James: 71* runs (57 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes).
• Richard Reid: 41 runs (52 balls, 6 fours).
• Harry Bennie: 35 runs (25 balls, 4 fours).

The acceleration was clinical, as the side moved from 160-2 to 230-3, demoralising the Great Gaddesden attack in the closing stages of the first innings.

In reply, the Northchurch bowling unit produced a disciplined and clinical defence, eventually bowling out Great Gaddesden for 183 in 36.1 overs. Although the visitors were well-placed at 155-3, the match turned on an inspired spell from Sunni Durrani. Durrani broke the resistance by clean-bowling the dangerous Muhammad Waqar for 36 and removing Paul Humphreys shortly after. This sparked a dramatic collapse, with Great Gaddesden losing their final seven wickets for only 28 runs. John Barry and Harry Bennie provided excellent support, ensuring the pressure never let up.

• Sunni Durrani: 3/21 (5 overs).
• John Barry: 2/28 (8 overs). [*] Harry Bennie: 2/20 (5 overs).

Additional breakthroughs from Tom Vila (1/36) and Jonny Hopkins (1/35) ensured the tail was quickly dealt with, confirming a dominant all-round performance.

Northchurch CC 2nd XI won by 71 runs.

The team walked away with a maximum of 30 league points from this fixture. It was a professional and coordinated display that reflects the hard work put in on the training ground. We look forward to carrying this clinical edge into our next match.