2nd XI Match Report - Away to Headley (by Nick Driver)

As the SNCC 2ND XI rocked up to Headley for their first outing of the season, Headley had already won the mental battle by having a colts game on the pitch as we arrived, causing mass panic amongst the team and captain thinking we were in the wrong place, but not to fear, we found our oppo who assured us the game was finishing. Driver then lost his first toss of many being put in the field on a hot day as per what will be the norm. As expected, Headley started quickly and their openers rushed forward scoring 60odd off the first 10 overs with only one wicket falling to Dylan Campbell. Last week's top bowlers Dave and Damo came on but neither had any profound effect with their opener and captain at 3 continuing to tick over runs nicely after Jim had dropped the captain off Damo for not much. Kyle and Bails were then given a go and it was the former who made the breakthrough with the other opener caught behind just shy of 70. Their no.4 then came in and 3 & 4 continued to belt us around the park but we weren't the only casualty as a big 6 landing slap bang on the bonnet of a nice fresh Jaguar that disappeared, only to be seen ten minutes later indicating into the car park to the horror of the offending batsman. Slowly though, we started making breakthroughs again with the Campbell's picking up a bowled wicket each. The middle order then tried moving on the score late but we managed to hold them under 300 with Jan and Dave taking catches off the returning Damo and Dylan.

A tough target and one we thought could be chaseable on the ground, but that notion was wiped away quickly as openers Bails and Driver were treated to some chin music by the Headley openers and couldn't get either away. Driver was the first to go, tickling one down leg side to the keeper before disappearing off towards the ice cream van for some consolation. Jim and Bails looked good but both went in quick succession with Jim sliding out of his crease and the keeper making no mistake and Bails top edging one up into the keepers' hands. For the record... he was an excellent keeper! That brought old school mates Jan and Tim to the wicket who started to have some fun and moved the score along nicely before Jan was given a very ropey LBW decision by their umpire. Damo then came out and Tim and Damo shared a few 4's to bring us over the 100 mark. We knew we were beat but both batsmen rallied gamely to the cause before Tim was caught. The left-handed bowler then came on and bowled both Damo and Kyle before Gibbo nicked off for nothing despite waiting down the other end for about 20 minutes to get a go! That brought the swashbuckling tail in with Dylan and Dave "Heavy Roller" Bowen dealing out some punishment with the latter scoring his 2nd six of his career before a comical run out. Sam came in and tried to fight off the last over but was caught LBW on the last ball of the game.

A tough game against a team relegated from division one. We bowled poorly with some mediocre fielding at times however there were some good moments amongst the batting with no one getting themselves out stupidly. MOTM is Kyle Campbell for his solid bowling display to help keep down what could have been an astronomical score.