2nd XI Match Report - 7/5/22

Re-live the 2nd XI action from Saturday!

The 2^nd XI faced a strong Enville side at home on Saturday.

Winning the toss, stand in captain Rick Wrigley elected to bat on a glorious May afternoon at the bowl. Belbroughton were immediately on the back foot, losing Steve Thomas to former Belbroughton seamer Adam Neale for 2 in the 7th over. Andy MacKenzie was then removed 3 overs later thanks to a stunning catch at cover. Belbroughton were precariously placed at 19-2 off 10 overs.

Richard Dunn and Wrigley weathered a fierce spell of bowling from Enville’s South African former pro who came on first change. Steadying the ship and taking Belb to 63-2 at drinks. The platform was built to press on, but conscious of losing too many wickets early, and against a solid 6 man bowling attack, the pair took Belbroughton to 154 in the 37th over before Wrigley was dismissed for 88. A mature, well paced partnership that saw them put on 135 in 27 overs.

Dunn continued with Laurie Heilbronn, the pair putting on a useful 30 before Dunn was removed for a much needed, gritty and hard working 51. Heilbronn followed shortly for a brisk 19 in 18 balls and Belb posted a respectable 189, which didn’t feel quite enough but plenty to bowl at.

It looked plenty after a wonderful opening spell by Heilbronn and Todd Stevens saw Enville reduced to 27-4 off 15 overs. With Stevens making the initial breakthrough quickly followed by Heilbronn with an early contender for champagne moment of the year.

Former Belbroughton first team player Ronnie Ball came back to the Bowl on the back of a 132 not out for Enville 2^nd XI last week and had been the talk of the team in the week as to whether he would face us or be in Enville’s 1^st XI. Heilbronn sent him back to the away dressing room, bowling him first ball with a beautiful delivery for a golden duck.

From 27-4, Enville regrouped, steadily pushing on to 55-4 off 20 overs with the dangerous overseas Swann looking ominous striking the ball cleanly. A couple of needed wickets by Wrigley in the middle left the game finely poised, but similar to last week, Belbroughton faced an onslaught as Jackson joined Swann in the middle. In the blink of an eye the pair rushed to 162-6 off 35 overs. With the game looking lost, Belbroughton showed their resilience once again, with Jackson dismissed by Ricky Boardman. Stevens quickly removed Neale for a duck but the rally came too late and Swann guided Enville home to win by 2 wickets finishing 71no.

A wonderful performance against a very strong Enville team who had depth in their bowling and batting. Again, showing resilience when it mattered in both the batting and bowling. Belbroughton picking up a well deserved 8pts in defeat. Leaving us well placed just below mid table (8th) and a series of very winnable matches to come through the rest of May and into June.

Belbroughton CC - 189/5 (45 Overs)

Enville CC - 191/8 (39.2 Overs)

MVP - R Wrigley (141 Points)