Kings Hill 208 for 9 (45)
Old Roan 197 for 8 (45)
Kings Hill won by 11 runs

Scorecard

The 2nd XI were back at the Kings Hill Oval to host Old Roan, and batted first in very hot and humid conditions.

Neil Taylor and Alex Richards started patiently, with the visitors' opening bowlers showing good discipline and getting some movement from the pitch. Neil got a good delivery from Old Roan captain Ben Pearce, and Alex got an edge to the first ball of the first-change bowler (very good catch from Alex Avery at slip). Chris Bryant and Atharva Pingulkar put on 53 for the third wicket, before Atha skied one to be caught for 36. Chris was out LBW shortly after and it was left to Harrison Keeping (36) and Bilal Afzal (31) to post a competitive total. Both played aggressively and there was a bit of luck along the way, but they combined for sixty runs to take KHCC beyond 160. Important contributions from the lower order helped to take the score past 200. It was below par on a good batting track and quick outfield, but gave the bowlers something to work with.

Ben Newmarch took the new ball with Alex Rose, whilst the Old Roan opening batters took very contrasting approaches. Ben bowled an excellent opening spell, going at less than three an over and taking the first wicket, drawing an edge that Harry took well. Jamie Holmes bowled a couple of good overs in his first match for the 2s, but Neil then turned to pace-off and the the ever-reliable duo of Sohail Khan and Jack Cook. Jack took an early wicket and the pair kept the scoring under control. Sohail trapped the numbers 4 and 6 batters in front and eventually ended a stubborn innings from the opener.

But an excellent innings from skipper Pearce, partnered with the more aggressive Daniel Lewis put the visitors on track for the win. They picked the scoring rate up and the left and right hand combination was a challenge for the bowlers. Atharva eventually drew a false stroke and Lewis (57) top-edged one to end a 114 run partnership. That meant Pearce needed to be more aggressive and Neil managed to bowl him as he attempted a heave to leg. His innings of 55 very nearly took his team to a win, but Kings Hill hung on in the last few overs to get over the line.

In what's becoming a bit of a pattern, the Twos are finding ways to win despite not really playing their best cricket. A number of batters once again got starts but didn't go on to post bigger scores and will feel they're finding ways to get out, whilst in the field the team are giving away a few too many extras. Having said that, the 2nd XI remain unbeaten with one match left in this first half of the season, so there is a lot to be positive about.