Second XI draw fourth game in a row as promotion bid takes another hit

Since the 53/47 cricket came into play this season, Northchurch 2s have struggled to force results from their games. In some matches they've been able to hold on a for a draw, but in others they've been frustrated as they haven't been able to find a win. Therefore their draw with Greenwood Park on Saturday told a familiar story of how their season has played out.

Last week Northchurch were just two wickets away from victory on a tough batting wicket. The 2s did well to reach a score of over 200 on a pitch that wasn't favourable for batting at all. However this time, the second XI were just two wickets away from losing the game, as they were eventually able to bat out for a draw despite Theo Gayton's innings of 60.

The 2s batted first for the first time this season last time out, but with Harry Chapman stepping in as captain for Charles Fidler on this occasion, he won the toss and sent the opposition into bat.

A fast outfield however meant that the Greenwood Park batsman were able to make light work of what usually would be considered a strong seam attack, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely from Northchurch's quicker bowlers.

David Vila was the pick of the second XI bowlers, as he picked up a brilliant five wicket haul. Opener Atique Ahmed looked to score quickly from the off, but he was dismissed for 20 as Vila picked up his first scalp with a nonchalant caught and bowled.

The other opener, Ed Gray found things more difficult, with Vila beating his outside edge repeatedly. However it was Chris Pearson who eventually removed him, bowling a brilliant yorker which plunged into the stumps.

Greenwood Park's innings had got off to a reasonably slow start, but an excellent innings from skipper Chris Kent built a very stable foundation. Kent had struggled to find timing early in his innings but looked more and more assured as his knock went on. He was eventually removed by a brilliant throw from Chapman in the deep, as Kent found himself run out for a score of 75. Before that however, Chapman had picked up a wicket himself, bowling Aman Talha, the third victim to fall.

Vila meanwhile returned for a second spell which saw him pick up another four wickets. He bowled Shafaat Hussain, who was later to claim his own five wicket haul, before having Khan, Otter and Farooq caught. Jack Randall proved expensive but was still able to pick up a wicket, bowling Zeb towards the back end.

The home side's innings was built around a few partnerships that eventually saw them reach a very handy score of 261 from their 53 overs. A total which come the end of the day would prove too much for Northchurch to achieve victory.

In pursuit of their target Jimmy Smart got the 2s off to a lively start. He scored 22 from the same amount of deliveries, as he hit four boundaries before chipping the ball straight to a fielder off the bowling of Ajmal Hussain. Oscar Johnson was meanwhile more conservative at the other end, as Gayton joined him at the crease.

Johnson was soon removed for seven however, as Randall came to the wicket hoping to establish a partnership with Gayton. The second XI were finding it increasingly difficult to get the Greenwood bowlers away, and that was evident in Randall's innings, as he was out for 14 from 41 balls. Pearson was sent in in an attempt to score some quick runs but managed only six, before the in form Ronak Patel fell for a duck.

Northchurch had found themselves in real trouble as Matt Dawson came to the middle. Two wickets fell with him at the crease as any realistic chance of getting close to Greenwood's score was erased with Gayton falling for 60. Fantham was next to go, being bowled for no score by Hussain, and then Dawson succumbed to the same bowler.

It was looking increasingly likely that Northchurch were on their way to a defeat. However Vila and Chapman were able to block the remaining overs out as the 2s finished on 161 for 8, leaving the Greenwood Park team frustrated.

It wasn't just a frustrating day for them however, as the 2s will be disappointed to not have done more to try and secure victory in what was a must win game.