2nd XI Match report for 26th April 2008 Vs Whitwell At Hall Lane

The 2nd teams season opener saw them entertain Whitwell at Papplewick Hall. it was a newlook 2nd team with many changes to the team that finished 3rd last season. one of those changes was of course due to the untimely death of leading batsmen Matt Dear during the winter and a minutes silence was held before the game, by both teams and spectators alike, to pay tribute to a talent that will be sorely missed.
wily veteran skipper Steve Alford won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat first on what was an amazingly dry wicket for April.
Whitwell were soon in trouble losing skipper and leading bat Alan Draycott early to John Thrower who bowled an impressive spell. he was ably supported at the other end by steve alford who trapped the other opener lbw. a change in bowling saw another veteran, Nagasair Sookram, pick up a wicket and 15 year old debutant Dane Straw pick up his 1st league wicket for the club as well. further changes to the bowling saw the introduction of slow bowling at each end - new signing Rohan Shah and youngster Kriss Barfield. Shah returned the very impressive figures of 5 for 38 and Barfield finished the innings by taking the last wicket, leaving Whitwell 111 all out.
in reply, openers Shah and Steve Thomas set off chasing the runs scoring freely at 5 an over. Shah at one point hitting 2 consective 6'S off Whitwell's left arm opening bowler, causing comments from Whiwell's beleaguered players calling into question Shah's impeachable eligibility (and also his parentage!) Wickets began to fall steadily with only Shah, Thomas and Sookram making any contributions of note with the bat, but although it was "squeaky bum" time making the last 20 runs, Papp eased home by 4 wickets with plenty of overs to spare making it a 1st and 2nd team winning double start to the season.