A full strength second eleven stepped out at gypsy corner last Saturday, boosted by their first win of the season away at North Enfield. An undefeated Abbots Langley II’s ventured East looking to increase their 40 point cushion over OE’s IIs. The roller was called for an hour before play after some sharp showers has soured the square in run-up to Saturday. The Abbot’s skipper wasn’t deterred by the soft underbelly on the strip, and invited his boys to pad up.

Anish (2/17) and Brad (0/4) opened up in usual fashion, finding good areas and building early pressure. After a couple of overs, Anish began to attack the stumps and he was duly rewarded, removing number’s 1 and 3 for ducks, both bowled. The number 3 bat looked back in bemusement to find himself bowled by an off-cutter which had pitched a foot outside off.

Abbot’s no.2 and 4 quickly settled at the crease and started about getting the scoreboard ticking. Anything short was finding its way to the boundary, and the first change pair of Umair (0/23) and Abdullah (0/22) could not unsettle a partnership looking increasingly competent in their shot selection. The sun was beginning to breakthrough and the wicket appeared seemingly unaffected by the week’s weather; 240 was appearing a par score.
A breakthrough needed, Captain Nav (5/17) brought himself into the attack and immediately unsettled the pair, offering the first good chance in 10+ overs. The chance went down but the skipper got the breakthrough in his following over, the pair had added 81 for the 3rd wicket. Kailesh (2/17) came on and bowled excellently to support his skipper from the clubhouse end, taking the other key wicket of the number 2 who departed for 41.

The tea lady showed no faith in the pair who, in a mere 11 overs between them, went on to rip through the Abbot’s middle order, only adding a further 19 runs to their total for the final 7 wickets. A quick flurry of wickets left the OE’s skipper with 5 wickets in as many overs, if only he bowled in the nets!! Centurion Avi (1-0) came on to take the final wicket. The lads’ best display in the field this campaign and the first signs of the 7b league champs. Abbots Langley all out for 109.

A quick turn around and OE’s were out to bat before tea, Fitzy (36) and Miles (14) riding through some early pressure and increasingly desperate LBW appeals to reach 42-0 at the hot-dog half-time. Miles departed shortly after the break but Fitzy settled in in his quest for a *, eventually falling with 15 runs required. OE’s gifted their opponents a total of 5 points by attempting to make the game interesting. Credit to the two young Abbot’s bowlers who bowled great spells after tea, finding lively swing and turn between them. The stage was set for Social Sec Extraordinaire Kiddle (18*) to hit the winning runs and push OE’s into the top half, with their second win on the bounce.

Written by James Fitzgerald

Scorecard: http://oeherts.play-cricket.com/website/results/3378659

Also a big thank you to Swapna who took some amazing photos which will be uploaded on Pitchero tonight!