We were blessed with blue skies, sun and warm (ish) weather as all three senior sides travelled over the hills to Ashfold School.The seconds were in a confident mood as they had done well in practice. Captain and vice captain for the day were Olly F and Max M respectively. Both had spent most of the school day making plans for fielding, batting and bowling! Ashfold won the toss and decided to insert Bruern on an early season pitch which promised low and slow bounce. The lush outfield would also mean that scoring boundaries would be difficult too.
Ashfold were wayward throughout the innings and the final score was an even split between runs off the bat and wides bowled! Jack W and Maxim H opened well, running positively and setting the run rate. When both succumbed to run outs, Olly F and Max M went about building the score steadily with watchful batting and well judged running. Olly F also fell to a tight run out and in strode man of the match Chris E who started positively from the off. Both batsmen built quickly and effectively before Max M fell for a stylish 19. Chris E then provided some lusty hitting (including the first 6 of the season1). In the end Bruern posted a very respectable 156-6.
Bruern then took to the field and the bowlers were much more disciplined. Will B and Xavier L opened and immediately exerted some excellent control restricting Ashfold to a run rate of 3 when they needed 8. Both took a wicket apiece. The 1st and 2nd changes backed up the sterling work of Xavier L and Will B. With Ashfold wickets falling regularly the game was always in Bruern's control although Ashfold made a spirited comeback to only lose by 30 runs. My champagne moment was Rudy C taking 2 wickets in his debut over. Well done boys, a great start to the season!
Mr Vadivale
