RHC LIONS

NEWS

2's Show Fighting Spirit To Win

The 2nd XI showed some true grit and determination on Saturday after being taken really close by Dunnikier.

Opting to bowl first and hoping to get them out early as there was rain due was the plan to ensure we caught up with Penicuik on games.

But things got off to a good start for Dunnikier as Budd and Braid dug in and as they are so good at doing they ran everything and got away with it. As the heads dropped in the field a bit for the first time this season Dunnikier made an opening partnership of 91.

BP getting the break through after 2 good opening spells form Gus and Bammo. Braid sucumbing to the trap set as Tyson took a good catch at midwicket.

As the rain came and (as usual) passed as soon as we set the covers down, Budd and Drysdale charged on as they took the score onto 145 before Budd ran out of steam and missed a good delivery from the 'partnership breaker' Potter.

Dunnikier looked to settle again as misfields from everyone were helping them edge on the score and with the wicket being of no help whatsoever to the bowlers they made another 45 before another wicket feel.

This time an excellent piece of fielding from the returning Yasser Ali as he ran out Cutter on 21. Then only a few balls later Sean Hoffmann made his first contribution of the day as he also got a direct hit removing Kent.

With the overs running out the Dunnikier batsmen pressed on and couple of wickets feel quickly and deservedly to Az, Arham and laterly Gus.

Drysdale fininshing on 76 and his team with a very respectable 247 on the board. Potter finishing with a respectable 33 for 2 from his 10 and Gus with 29 for 1 from 9.

Knowing full well that we had gifted them 40 or so runs we knew we had a real test on our hands as we headed in for tea.

Dunnikier where obviously delighted with a big score on the board and had their tails up early as Az was caught at slip for just 3 and then Tyson removed himself from the innings as he was caught in 2 minds about smashing one and was duly caught at midwicket.

However, silence soon fell over the fielding side as Sean Hoffmann scored his first 100 for the 2nd XI. An absolute master class to watch once he got going. Aptly supported by Jason Mccarthy as he played himself well in before going on to make a big score.

Some of the Hoffs shot selections where excellent and the ball was collected on a regular basis from beyond the rope.

With Dunnikier not having a great deal in the bowling department aftyer their openers where gone they tried eveything to remove the solid partnership of Hoffman and McCarthy.

Resorting to bringing back opener, Yadav, Hoffman eventually missed one and was bowled for 107. Skipper West came and went 2 balls later as he edged to 1st slip leaving the score on 181 for 4.

It was Jason to take control as Gus played an important part at the other end as the new partnership forged on towards the winning total.

Having played some well timed shots, including an excellent leg glance for 4, Gus made a very valuable 21 before being run out.

With 30 runs to get things where calm and collected on the boundary as Steven Burnett strode to the crease with 10 overs to go.

Just as the legend, Tom Grieg, asked Westy "Does he know what he's doing?" Mr Burnett kindly obliged with a beautifully timed cover drive to the school side ropes. Greig duly laughing his a$$ off as he knew full well his question was answered.

He was also correct in saying that things where done and dusted as the Dunnikier hearts clearly sank as their was still no tail in sight with stroke play like that... Steven making a cameo 9 with Jason finishing 4 short of his 100.

An excellent innings by McCarthy only slightly over shadowed by his younger counterpart Hoffmann.

A brilliant display of batting from Hoffmann and McCarthy who saw us home. Dissapointing in the field in comparison to recent weeks but another fine team effort keeps us top of the pile with Penicuik.

With things all square at the top of the league with both teams played 5, won 5 the upcoming fixture is sure to be a potential title decider.