Joel James makes Northchurch history in 2s win

If anyone wanted a glance at the future of Northchurch Cricket Club, then the Meadow on Saturday evening was the place to be. At 14 years and seven months, Joel James became the youngest player to ever score a Herts League 50 for Northchurch, as he hit a brilliant knock of 54 in his team's pursuit of 180.

James' temperament since coming into the Second XI this season has been outstanding, and after scores of 55 and 66 for the Sunday team, got his chance to open in a league game for the first time on Saturday. It was his innings, alongside other half centurion Ryan Smart, that played a pivotal role in helping their side to a much needed four wicket win over Waltham Cross Rosedale.

Northchurch 2s have dropped off the pace in the last month or so with a run of successive draws, but thanks to a complete team performance on Saturday, were able to achieve a vital victory that bunched up the pack at the top of Division 8b.

It was visiting captain Clive Williams that won the toss, and he sent his players into bat on one of the greenest wickets Northchurch has seen all season. It originally looked a good decision with openers Colin Winter and Stephen Waller combining for a stand of over 50 for the first wicket.

That wasn't to say they didn't go untroubled however, as David Vila and Jack Randall bowled very well up top, ensuring the visitors run rate was restricted substantially in the early parts of the innings.

They were both unlucky not to find the edge, as they constantly beat the batsman for pace and bounce. Neither could find the opening wicket though, whilst spells from Alex Brown and Adam Forshaw had the same result. That meant it was down to skipper Harry Chapman to get the breakthrough. Winter and Waller had battled for scores of 32 and 24 respectively but Chapman was to remove the pair of them in quick succession. He first had Waller stumped, and then removed Winter caught and bowled.

Matt Dawson was back to his best with the ball, and in his spell of ten overs used the pitch well to constantly beat the outside edge. Waltham's number three, Sam Williams, who went onto make 55 edged through the slips numerous times, before Dawson claimed his first scalp. He finally got one to stick in the slip cordon, as Jerry Pearce edged behind to Vila for just four runs. Dawson then claimed Northchurch's fourth wicket of the innings, taking a caught and bowled opportunity to get rid of H Winter for 24.

The Northchurch attack were bowling with plenty of control, and that was evident in the final part of the innings with Vila and Randall returning to pick up two wickets each. Williams and Alex Washbourne were both bowled by Vila, whilst there was a brilliant direct hit from Forshaw which meant J Winter was run out. Randall's two dismissals were meanwhile caught at mid-on by Dawson, as Waltham Cross were bowled out for 179 in the final over.

In reply Jimmy Smart and James put on 53 together for the opening wicket as they got their side off to a good start. Smart cashed in on some short bowling before being struck on the helmet, and then fell for a quick 31, pulling a short ball straight to the man on the boundary.

Northchurch had looked in a strong position but just three balls later Randall also fell, leaving the second XI 57 for 2, as he played on for just four. That brought the other Smart to the crease as he and James combined for a stand of 78 that put their side in a commanding position to go on and win the game.

Smart was put down early in his innings by the same fielder that took the catch off his brother. He took advantage of that dropped catch to go on and make 54, a score which included 11 boundaries as he brought up his half century from just 45 deliveries. He fell just moments after however, being stumped off the bowling of Williams.

Ben Towler was next in on his return to the side, and looked comfortable in his innings of 17. He hit four boundaries before being bowled, whilst Ronak Patel went trying to finish the game early as he was caught for just one. The plan had been for the Northchurch batsman to bat around James, and that was executed well throughout the innings. The youngster batting excellently, and rarely looked in trouble throughout his 54 as he was finally bowled by Michael Jepson.

It was then down to the skipper and Dawson to see their side home. The latter came in with three to win, and after seeing a couple go past his bat, edged the ball for four to win the game with plenty of overs to spare.

With matches against second and first in the league coming up for the 2s, it was hugely important that they got the win on Saturday. It was a confidence boosting performance, and one which they'll look to repeat in the next couple of weeks to boost their promotion chances.