Strong Sunday 2XI get first win under their belts

Having had their original opponents Ivinghoe and Pitstone pull out mid-week due to poor availability, an appeal on the conference was successful as wandering side Stage CC stepped into their shoes. Northchurch batted first, and first team regular George Liveing provided a strong base from the outset for others to play around, retiring on 101. All rounder Tom Garraway went in at 4, and after rotating the strike well with Liveing, retired out on 54 to allow Liveing to go on to his ton and the remainder of the team to get a chance in the middle. Boosted by lower order cameos from Jack Randall (17) and Harry Chapman (23*) Northchurch set a decent total of 222-7 for Stage to chase.

A number of Stage batsmen made starts, including Northchurch old timer Simon "Moon" Wheeler (18) who had agreed to make up the opposition shortfall, however accurate bowling from Pyne (8-2-22-2) and Randall (8-2-42-0) kept the run rate well down in the first 16 overs of the match, with Pyne picking up two wickets and Randall unlucky to go without. Change bowlers Chapman (6-3-15-3) and Charlie Sweeten (7-1-16-2) kept the pressure on, collecting three and two wickets respectively, leaving Joel James (4-1-10-2) and Sunni Durrani (6-0-7-1) to knock over the tail, leaving Stage 98 runs short of the target on 124 all out.