Second XI suffer disappointing defeat at Offley & Stopsley

Northchurch 2's inconsistent start to the season continued on Saturday as they suffered a low scoring defeat away at Offley & Stopsley.

It was a game that saw the 2s return to a ground where they had their opposition 63-8 last season before rain came and halted any chance of a result. But on a day where the weather fared much better, Northchurch failed to muster the similar sort of performance that would have surely seen them win at the same ground last season.

Chasing ultimately what was a low score on their return visit, they were forced to come away with a crushing loss after being bowled out for 90, chasing 159.

A green wicket was presented to Northchurch upon arrival, and with it appearing bowler friendly, skipper Harry Chapman had no reservations about sending Offley into bat after winning the toss.

It was a decision which appeared vindicated when in the second over of the day, Ben Pyne struck the first blow - having Steve Bexfield trapped in front, LBW for a duck.

On a toughing batting deck, where balls kept low and the outfield remained slow throughout, Offley's run rate was kept to a minimum as Pyne and Jack Randall kept things tight in the opening overs.

Perhaps typical of Northchurch's day, one of their stand out performers was a player who didn't pick up a wicket - reflecting the nature of a topsy-turvy beginning to the 2s campaign.

Harry Bennie, who has shown great maturity with his bowling this season, benefitting from an extended spell in men's cricket - bowled eight overs for just nine runs. His line was excellent and the wicket suited his bowling perfectly.

He was able to tie down an end in his two spells, ensuring that those from the opposite end benefitted. Matt Dawson replaced Bennie after his first spell, and on his first game back tried to shake off some understandable rust. Following an inconsistent first over, he finally found his length but like the player he replaced, finished wicketless.

However, Sunni Durani was able to get among the wickets, picking up the scalps of Shane MacDermott, bowled for 20 and Mark Tattersall, 0, for the same dismissal in quick succession through the middle overs. They were two wickets that had made up for an earlier dropped catch off the bowling of Chapman.

Wary of the low score Offley looked like posting, they tried to get at the Northchurch bowlers as the innings approached its conclusion. However, Randall was on hand to claim three wickets, removing Luke Munt, Joshua Scott and Adam Ward - as he played a key hand in restricting the opposition, finishing with figures of 3 for 29.

There was meanwhile still time for Chapman to pick up a wicket, bowling Jordan Hook for 13 before Pyne returned to pick up the ninth wicket of Marc Ward, LBW for 18.

At one point it had looked like Northchurch would keep Offley under 120, a score which Chapman was keen to ensure happened. But a combination of sloppy fielding and late cameos from Darren Lunney and Courtney McIlveen saw them through to 158 for 9 from their allotted overs.

In response, Joel James found life tough, with any chance of scoring on a slow outfield limited for the youngster. Randall took it upon himself to try and push on with his opening partner blocking solidly, but after a sweetly struck six off the bowling of McIlveen was then undone by the same bowler trying to go for a similar shot. He departed for ten and what followed after was not what Nortchurch needed.

Mike James, who was ever so solid with the bat last season, struggled and failed to get hold of a shot as he sent a routine catch to the fielder off the bowling of Barker for six and then shortly after Ryan Smart was sent packing for a duck.

Things didn't look for Northchurch, and that was evident in Joel's stumping, as he went for 15. Usually good with his feet, it was an uncharacteristic dismissal in a performance that lacked any real character from most of the side.

Ronak Patel came in and struck a rare boundary in the Northchurch innings, scoring nine off 13 deliveries before being bowled by Tattersall.

One of few positives to come from the game was the batting of Jack Fantham, who after a well made 32 last week looked good again against Offley. He was keen to put partnerships together, and with Dawson a small one was forged. They ran well, but the latter struggled for timing early in his innings. He was able to clip a bad ball away for four to get him going but was then removed for 14, bowled by left armer Shane MacDermott. The same bowler soon claimed Chapman for a duck three balls later.

With Fantham in there was still a slight hope of reaching the target required, but resistance from Pyne was ended for three off 20 balls and then Durani was unfortunately run-out trying to go for a second.

Any chance of winning the game had gone, but Fantham had played nicely for 25, putting away the bad ball and exerting timing which most of the batsman had failed to find. He was eventually dismissed, caught and bowled by Tattersall, leaving Bennie stranded at the other end without facing a ball as Northchurch succumbed to defeat.

With the season now building ahead of steam, the 2s will have to be much improved when they face Lutonian at the Meadow next weekend.

Skippers man of the match: Harry Bennie, who despite not claiming a wicket, bowled incredibly well.