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The 2s tie in an all timer’ at Kingsley
Max Beckett24 Aug - 10:58
The 2025 season has consisted of some forgettable days for the 2nd XI, but the late-August clash at Kingsley will live long in the memory...
The 2 welcomed back skipper Max and club veteran Fergus Middleton for his first game of the season, taking the gloves from Adie. The 2s bowling stocks looked healthy, with Noah, Alex, Jezza, Chris and Rohan all ready to bowl.
Max lost the toss on a dusty pitch, already showing signs of wear and tear, and the Wood were put in to bat. Max tired out a new look opening partnership, with Noah and Rohan opening up, hoping to give some impetus early in the innings.
The game started well, with both Rohan and Noah regularly finding the boundary, racing to 45-0 off the first 10 overs, with Noah playing some strong drives and flicks and Rohan showing some of his classic wristy drives and pulls to out some pressure on the Kingsley openers. However, after a placid first few overs the pitch woke up, with Rohan getting one that kept low, leading to a drag on and Kingsley’s first wicket. Ali joined Noah in the middle and the two continued to 71-1 when Noah was finally prized out as Kingsley switched to their change bowlers. It was this change of bowlers which had a significant effect, with wickets tumbling to a combination of tight bowling and some poor shot selection (skipper included, sorry Chetan). The innings closed on 111, with the Wood requiring a strong bowling performance to get anything from the game.
Jezz and Chris opened the bowling and after a couple of run filled overs initially, both found their lines, with Jezz claiming three quick wickets to bring the 2s right back into the game. Both openers continued to bowl tight lines before Max made his first bowling changes, with Alex Royds coming on for Chris. Alex had an instant impact, bowling with control and finding significant movement off the pitch and through the air to claim the Kingsley skipper just as he seemed to be finding his feet. Noah now came into the game, replacing the skipper after a few wayward overs, instantly having an impact with a pinpoint yorker to remove yet another batsman. With the score at 77-5 the game was still in the balance, and Noah and Alex continued to trouble the batsmen. Headley’s opener, who had remained steadfast in his resistance while wickets fell at the other end made it to his 50, with his wicket remaining the key to Grayswood’s victory push. Noah, after a couple of quiet overs, made the decision to move to around the wicket and found movement to dismiss three more in quick time, leaving Kingsley reeling at 95-8. Now, Kingsley’s opener flayed a couple of boundaries, and with a few runs from the no 10’s bat, the total crept up to 110-8, leaving only 2 runs to win. Here, Alex Royds was reintroduced after finishing his first spell a few overs earlier, and with his first ball moved one down the slope to finally remove the Kingsley opener’s off stump and end his resistance. Now victory seemed possible, with only one wicket remaining, the fielders closed in and skipper Max moved his catchers into position. The next ball flew towards the batsman, who was able to jam down at the last second and sneak a single, scores tied. With one to go in the over, and with the possibility of leaving the no 11 to face a full over, the no 10 pushed a ball back towards Alex, who in his follow through was able to get a hand to it. With both batsmen stranded in the middle of the pitch, Max was able to pick up the ball and throw the stumps down, ending the game in a dramatic tie.
An incredible result and a great day, putting a bright light on the end of what has been a difficult season. Man of the match was Noah for his 40 runs at the top of the order and 4-8 off 6 overs. The team returns to the Wood next week for the final game of the season vs Farncombe!
Max lost the toss on a dusty pitch, already showing signs of wear and tear, and the Wood were put in to bat. Max tired out a new look opening partnership, with Noah and Rohan opening up, hoping to give some impetus early in the innings.
The game started well, with both Rohan and Noah regularly finding the boundary, racing to 45-0 off the first 10 overs, with Noah playing some strong drives and flicks and Rohan showing some of his classic wristy drives and pulls to out some pressure on the Kingsley openers. However, after a placid first few overs the pitch woke up, with Rohan getting one that kept low, leading to a drag on and Kingsley’s first wicket. Ali joined Noah in the middle and the two continued to 71-1 when Noah was finally prized out as Kingsley switched to their change bowlers. It was this change of bowlers which had a significant effect, with wickets tumbling to a combination of tight bowling and some poor shot selection (skipper included, sorry Chetan). The innings closed on 111, with the Wood requiring a strong bowling performance to get anything from the game.
Jezz and Chris opened the bowling and after a couple of run filled overs initially, both found their lines, with Jezz claiming three quick wickets to bring the 2s right back into the game. Both openers continued to bowl tight lines before Max made his first bowling changes, with Alex Royds coming on for Chris. Alex had an instant impact, bowling with control and finding significant movement off the pitch and through the air to claim the Kingsley skipper just as he seemed to be finding his feet. Noah now came into the game, replacing the skipper after a few wayward overs, instantly having an impact with a pinpoint yorker to remove yet another batsman. With the score at 77-5 the game was still in the balance, and Noah and Alex continued to trouble the batsmen. Headley’s opener, who had remained steadfast in his resistance while wickets fell at the other end made it to his 50, with his wicket remaining the key to Grayswood’s victory push. Noah, after a couple of quiet overs, made the decision to move to around the wicket and found movement to dismiss three more in quick time, leaving Kingsley reeling at 95-8. Now, Kingsley’s opener flayed a couple of boundaries, and with a few runs from the no 10’s bat, the total crept up to 110-8, leaving only 2 runs to win. Here, Alex Royds was reintroduced after finishing his first spell a few overs earlier, and with his first ball moved one down the slope to finally remove the Kingsley opener’s off stump and end his resistance. Now victory seemed possible, with only one wicket remaining, the fielders closed in and skipper Max moved his catchers into position. The next ball flew towards the batsman, who was able to jam down at the last second and sneak a single, scores tied. With one to go in the over, and with the possibility of leaving the no 11 to face a full over, the no 10 pushed a ball back towards Alex, who in his follow through was able to get a hand to it. With both batsmen stranded in the middle of the pitch, Max was able to pick up the ball and throw the stumps down, ending the game in a dramatic tie.
An incredible result and a great day, putting a bright light on the end of what has been a difficult season. Man of the match was Noah for his 40 runs at the top of the order and 4-8 off 6 overs. The team returns to the Wood next week for the final game of the season vs Farncombe!
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