2nd XI vs Old Southendian & Southchurch CC, 2nd XI

Shenfield continued their league campaign away to Old Southendians at a sunny Garon Park on Saturday. Shenfield once again won the toss and had to make the ‘difficult’ decision of what to do. The pitch, batting line-up, bowling options, outfield size, weather forecast and Southend on sea tide times were all factors meticulously deliberated by Salisbury. However, when Ballington Jnr reminded him that “When it’s hot you bat” Shenfield promptly started their innings much to everyone’s relief.

George Ballington and Martin Allen opened up Shenfield’s innings and George started off by hitting the first ball of the match for 4. Perhaps making a statement to selectors after finding himself in the 2s for the first time this season? Only he will know....... GB found boundaries throughout the first few overs and SCC were off to a healthy start. Allen was removed by a very good delivery taking his outside edge in the 4^th over leaving the score at 29-1.

Tom Ballington, fresh back from Singapore and returning to the distinctive Shenfield whites, joined his elder brother at the crease for the first time for some years. The Ballington brother’s played some nice shots with both scoring boundaries and playing some flamboyant strokes. This lead to Old Southendians taking the pace off and initiating some early spin. Unfortunately for Tom this was his undoing as he was pouched by a sharp catch at slip for 19. Just 7 runs later, GB was removed slog sweeping a straight delivery for a well batted 43. Newton played a few nice strokes but couldn’t pick up where he left off last week – as he too missed a straight one playing across the line for 13. Suddenly after a decent start and some players getting in, Shenfield found themselves at 94-4.

With a Shenfield rebuild required, the Old Souths spinners continued to bowl well. Newbould was caught by the keeper cutting their young off spinner for 6. Salisbury was caught by the keeper cutting their young off spinner for 4. And Massie was caught by the keeper cutting their young off spinner for 8. When Pilgrim was adjudged LBW shortly after for 2, Shenfield found themselves 111-8 and in trouble on a good deck.

More bad fortune continued for Shenfield as the white flag of surrender couldn’t be located in time to signal a forfeit, meaning that James Borman had to pad up and take guard. Ably joined by Will Dowlen, the pair put on a much needed 48 for the 9^th wicket. Dowlen impressed by playing some nice attacking shots whilst still showing a solid defence when required, but he eventually fell for a very mature 23. Cockerell then joined Bor at the crease with the score at 159-9. Knowing that every run was a bonus at this stage, the pair worked hard to manipulate the strike and try and give Shenfield something to defend. OC continued to keep out any straight deliveries, whilst Borman simply tried to use the stick of wood to hit the red thing. A flurry of boundaries from Borman, utilising his outside edge effectively, meant the last pair added a very valuable 43. Borman who was inexplicably hidden away at number 11 by the previous skipper finished with an incredibly surprising 53, and OC remained unbeaten. Bowled out in the 42^nd over, Shenfield somehow managed 202. Still light, but something to bowl at.

Dowlen (2-19) and Pilgrim (1-31) got the Shenfield defence off to the best possible start removing both openers early, both caught by Newbould. The latter catch from young Joey being rather spectacular with one flying mitt.

A small child was overheard asking his father on the side-line why Shenfield didn’t have a midwicket, which was the final straw for Salisbury to finally move GB there. The very next ball it looped up to him to reduce the oppo to 32-3 in a piece of inspired captaincy and crystal ball moment!

Old Souths did bat cautiously and put on circa 50 for the next wicket, but G Ballington (3-19) eventually made the key breakthrough as he so often does. Joined by his brother Tom (2-38) to bowl in tandem, the 2 took regular wickets to quickly stall any batting momentum. Cockerell also picked up a wicket, and an excellent catch on the line from Jack Newton finally gave Shenfield enough breathing room to know they just had to finish the job.

Specialist death bowler Joe Massie (1-1), now wearing bowling spikes full time, cleaned up what would have been their last man only for an earlier bat who retired hurt to return. GB returned to the attack and bowled one of his classic half trackers to pouch a nice caught and bowled to give Shenfield the victory.

Old Southendians eventually finished 157 all out giving the Shen a 45 run victory. Whilst Shenfield enjoyed the win, we will have to take key learnings from the batting innings if we wish to continue climbing the table and taking every point on offer.

This victory propels Shenfield one place up the league at this early stage to 2^nd place. Next week Shenfield look forward to hosting the first of a 2 match series against Orsett &Thurrock in the final of the overs games.

JSB