Match Report
Back on home soil the 2nd team took on Five Ways Old Edwardians on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The team saw three changes from the previous week’s victory against Burghill with Apperley, Pittam Jnr and Holyoake returning to the fold.
The toss was won by the home team who invited FWOES to bat first. The opposition started slowly and circumspectly with openers Hill and Fleming building a solid opening partnership of 67 before Hill was run out for 27 by Holyoake.
The second wicket was to fall shortly after as Holyoake induced a loose shot from Fleming who was caught easily for 42, score now being 79 for 2.
Avoncroft attack were keeping things tidy relying upon pressure to build and force wickets and so it occurred when the FWOES skipper tried to hit Wood and skied a simple catch out to the covers. This now had the visitors at 90 for 3 in the 27th over with the game finely balanced.
With the need to accelerate the middle order of FWOES started to take some more chances. A fourth wicket partnership of 60 was built between Ali and Ahmed gave the innings impetuous punishing the lose ball and putting pressure in the field with their running between the wickets.
Just as the game was starting to drift towards the visitors Whitehead removed Ali for an entertaining 35 and a further quick wicket was to fall courtesy of Pittam Junior removing Arif without scoring.
With overs running out Potter and Ahamedzah came to the wicket. Through a combination of big hitting and quick running they pushed the FWOES total to a respectable 224 with Ahamedzah hitting a very brisk 23 not out. Pick of the bowlers for Croft was Holyoake who ended up with 3 for 55
In reply the Avoncroft innings started slowly due to some fine bowling from the opening FWOES bowlers. Brunt was removed for 9 by Khan with the score being on 22 bringing Apperley to the fray.
Starting slowly the pair of Pitt and Apperley put on 119 for the 2nd wicket partnership, ending when Pitt was bowled by Wingfield for 52. Wood now joined Apperley and the pair put on a further 49 runs in quick order helping boost the run rate before Wood was caught at long off for 23.
Whitehead now came to the crease with a further 34 required to see Croft home. Apperley by this time was batting imperiously and reached his much-deserved century in the 39th over before finally holing out at deep mid wicket for a match winning 115.
Whitehead and Prudhoe sealed the victory in the 42nd over much to the delight of the home crowd and team.
Another great win from the Croft team. The partnership of Pitt and Apperley proved crucial in Crofts run chase. Apperley century was the highlight of the match but mention too should be made of Pitt’s innings in seeing off the new ball against a good opening attack.
Next game for the 2’s is at away at Himbleton on 16th June
Match Report by Mark Wood, 11/06/2018
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