2nd XI vs Loughton CC, 2nd XI

Shenfield 2Xl won their first game on the road this season in a criminally close finish against Loughton. In a match that had sickeness, injuries, controversy and a 999 emergency call it was fair to say the Rhytm & Blues were back to their entertaining selves. 

Being burgled at the toss, Shenfield were put into bat on a drying wicket. Openers Massie and Allen started proceedings with a few boundaries to get the account open. Just like death and taxes, Allen survived an LBW shout early doors that he even felt himself was close. However, it appeared the umpire was merely pointing at his midriff as oppose to continuing with the full finger to the sky.

Allen assaulted a few down the ground, but unfortunately feeling unwell, he was bowled for 11. In short succession Massie was adjudged leg before for 9 and sentenced to the pavilion for the remainder of the innings. This welcomed Newbould and Newton to the crease. The pair put on a good partnership before Joey fell for 20. Salisbury (20), Sedgley (17) and Green (12) all made decent starts and batted in partnership with Newton, but sadly none went on to cash in against some tidy bowling and a slight slowness in the drying deck.

Newton continued to play in his usual fashion anchoring the SCC innings. A mixture of lusty blows and graceful shots showed his class. He eventually fell for 67, trying to hit one just too far but Jack didn’t appear too disappointed …….. Quant (19*) and Pilgrim (24) provided some very valuable runs towards the end of the innings. However, Shenfield kept losing wickets and eventually were bowled out at the end of 44th over for 225. Whilst competitive, Shenfield couldn't help but feel they had a left a few out there with so many good starts. 

Quant & Pilgrim opened up the defence for Shenfield. It was a strong start for Loughton as one opener played some particularly attacking strokes. However, the Loughton momentum was stalled briefly as two spectators became somewhat overly enthralled by a controversial no ball decision. As an argument ensued over the one extra run and free hit - one player saw fit to phone the brave men and women of Essex Constabulary. Once all had calmed down the match restarted only to be halted again as 9, yes you read that correctly, 9 police officers turned up to check all was well. Shenfield CC haven't seen that many police officers since the great clubhouse riot of 2023 when Heineken went up to £3.50 a bottle.

Once that misunderstanding had been rectified the game was back on and in relatively good spirits.

However, in all the excitement Quant had become injured - likely from laughing so hard at the overreaction, and so Massie completed his over. Despite Shenfield trying to call the police back for crimes against cricket - Joe handled the task valiantly.

Loughton were cruising at 90-0 and looking in control. However, Green (3-29) bowled brilliantly and took the key breakthrough wicket of the powerful opener on 74. Green bowled in tandem with Borman (3-41) and the spinners started to claw back some control. Green also assisted in the field with an excellent catch back over his shoulder, and leaving a few overs in the tank he was replaced by Cockerell (2-46) who also joined the party. 

Shenfield's sharp fielding and catching whilst regularly taking wickets meant that all was to play for going into the last 10 overs. The run rate started at 5's, but eventually rose up to 8's thanks to some excellent death bowling from former opening batter Joe Massie. His mixture of cutters and swingers meant that Loughton needed circa 20 off the last 2 overs. Massie eventually bowled the last man in the penultimate over to seal a 16 run victory for Shenfield.

Not many opposition players or spectators stuck around too long after the jubilant scenes at full time, but that didn't stop Shenfield really soaking in a close and unique victory. Rumour has it the Essex Police control room finally stood down their officers from duty as word got back to them that SCC had won.

Next week Shenfield 2s travel to Old Southendians, having now climbed to third in the table - Shenfield will look to continue the momentum to put pressure on the top 2 in the league. 

JSB