NEWS

2's Overcome Haddington

A great performance all round in the 2’s as they headed to Haddington on Saturday. Westy lost the toss and we were put in to Bat.

On a cloudy but windy wicket Azhar and Hoffy snr got us off to a brilliant start. The pair created a solid fifty partnership before Az was out. Having batted extremely well Az was disappointed having clipped a ball off his legs straight into the keeper’s hands. A very well worked 21.

In next came a freezing cold Tyson. After waiting impatiently on the sidelines he got off to a shaky start and failing to back up caused an early run out chance for Haddington. However, things got settled, Tyson and Hoffy put on a few before The Hoff’s wicket fell for 34.

Into the action strode Mr Kevin West… and he strode right back off again with only 1 run to his name after trying to guide a short ball down to fine leg instead off spanking it over mid wicket. Unlucky Mate.

Next up Nick Adams. Nick and Tyson kept the run rate ticking along at a slow but steady rate both playing some great shots whilst taking the total to 100ish before Nick’s wicket fell for 29ish. Well batted nick.

Hoffy Jnr and Tyson continued to work the ball around before Tyson playing at a wide one from the oppo’s spinner. Good work by the Hadders keeper meant Tyson departed, stumped, for 41 runs.

Then came the fireworks.

James Bonner came to the table and with some superb running between the wickets. Some great shots from both batsmen increased the total to 208 at the break. James Bonner scoring 31 and Hoffy Jnr equalling his dad on 34 runs. Really well batted guys.

Time for tea.

After a great tea and much to the delight of the 2’s, the sun decided to come out. We went out to field.

Gus and Bumo opened the bowling. Both bowling tight lines and with the team on the ball in the field the batsmen struggled to get runs away. One of Gus’s deliveries struck their captain and opening batsman in the hand and unfortunately, he had to retire, hurt (or scared of by the 2’s bowling attack)? 1 down 9 to go.

Haddington old boys Hiley and Talbot looked solid though were still struggling to get any runs away against the bowling attack of Gus and Bumo, and similarly struggled against Az and Giggsy. The batting pair continued on (very slowly) although a few lbw shouts from Az that we thought came pretty close, where not given. Even Talbot started appealing to try and help Az out but the umpire was having none of it.

It was Giggsy who had bowled a very tight line throughout his spell, that got the breakthrough. Talbot became frustrated at not getting out to Az LBW tried to hit Giggsy through cover area. He did not expect the catch of the year from Iron Mike Tyson diving low to his left sending him back to the changing rooms.

Wickets then started to fall quite quickly with Giggsy picking up a 3 for x and Gus a x for. The spin attack of Aaron Jay and BP eventually bowled them out for 79, but not before Nick Adams taking the catch of the year title from Iron Mike’s previous catch. Nick took a leaping right-handed catch behind his head. Awesome. Nonchalant springs to mind.

As a team, Saturday’s performance was brilliant. Everybody contributed with either the bat or the ball and in the field we were as good as I think we’ve been, with very few fielding errors and some great chat and support for the bowlers.

Special mention to James Bonner on his debut behind the sticks for the 2’s with a very impressive 1 bye to his name.

I however feel that the batsmen should be trying to turn these 30’s & 40’s into 50’s & 60’s – 80’s & 90’s etc. So still work to be done. But Great stuff guys! Lets keep it going…

Iron Mike