A delayed report due to the authors holiday..
The 2s made it 4 in a row with a hardfought win over Buxted Park at SJP on the 8 July. Buxted won the toss and elected to bat which is often a good decision at St John’s. Andy Meeds and Ben Ferns took the attack to the new ball pair of Matt Charman and Bobby Barnes with Ferns in particular looking fluent. Charman bowled Meed which brought Will Nicklin to the crease who scored freely until he gambled hitting to cow where Phil Wickwar was never going to drop it off the bowling of Lewis Mamoany. Redding Barnes (55) then joined Ferns (71) and they put on a nice partnership until Barnes inexplicably guided one to Cromb at gully off the bowling of Nick Brailey. From there however Buxted were in good position to accelerate and this they did finally declaring 240-9 off 51. Barnes, Charman and Dan Maskell all finishing with 2 wickets.
In reply the Buxted opening pair made an early breakthrough as Barnes removed both openers Steve Cromb and Charlie Punter. Firstly Akeem Ifill with Steve Cromb, then with Luke Vick (24) put on good partnerships in contrasting styles, with Akeem in belligerent mood smashing Buxted for 74 off only 45 balls. An excellent knock from the Bajan. However when both batsmen were out BHCC were 134-4 with Phil Wickwar and skipper Matt Charman at the crease and the game in the balance. What followed was a solid unbroken partnership from the pair as Wickwar made 67 n/o and Charman 34 n/o as BHCC chased down the Buxted total comfortably. Wickwar was excellent in hitting the bad balls with aplomb and fully deserved to be there at the end to take very well deserved applause. Barnes was pick of the Buxted bowlers with 2 wickets to go with his 50.
Again another great win for the 2s who have managed to find form at a very important time in the season.