2nd XI Lose to Northwood in Season Opener

A drizzly start revealed a green wicket and tricky call at the toss, Hertford stand-in skipper Pavey called correctly and anxiously-chose to bowl first. Beardsley and Flynn Ruskin opened up and both immediately hit a good line and length. After a couple of overs of threatening bowling at both ends Ruskin was rewarded trapping Reeve in front of the stumps for his first Saturday 2ndXI wicket.

What followed after this was a period of good bowling from the Hertford openers but also good, respectful batting from Northwood. Unfortunately some sloppy fielding and then good, punishing batting meant that Northwood soon found themselves in a good position at 90-1 after about 20 overs. Hertford knew they only had 5 genuine bowlers to rely on for the day and so after Murphy’s first over included numerous no-balls, wides and an incoming-breakdown things were starting to look worrying for Hertford.

Luckily Jon Ryan was on hand to add stability to proceedings and he removed both set-batsman (Ruskin taking a fine catch to remove Raveenthiraraja) which then left Hertford in the half-decent position of having Northwood 108-4. Unfortunately some good batting from Sharples and Sargeant meant that despite some good bowling in the middle overs from Ryan and McCarroll Northwood recovered. Sharples in particular took the attack to the bowlers and hit some massive blows despite some the solid bowling.

Murphy came back into the attack and was reassuringly back to his old self – immediately rewarded with the wicket of Sharples and then Moore. Despite this opportunity for Hertford to run through the lower-order, some good batting meant that the runs continued and in spite of the good bowling from Ryan and Ruskin at the other end to Murphy, Northwood made their way to 252, the final wicket falling in the final over. Special mention on the bowling-front to Murphy who comprehensively completed his redemption with 5-59 after that difficult start – Ryan finished with 3-37, and Ruskin and McCarroll with 1 wicket apiece.

The Hertford chase started poorly with Harris dragging one onto his stumps in the first over, Chandler and Read then battled through a period of challenging bowling on a pitch that was assisting the bowlers before Chandler fell for 22, being adjudged LBW leaving Hertford 29-2. This wicket brought about a period of turgid cricket, Hertford batsmen Read and Pavey weren’t able to get the ball away due to some good bowling but ensured that they didn’t throw away their wickets – just as Read had hit a couple of clean boundaries and as the pressure seemed to be easing he was also found to be LBW for 16 leaving Hertford 57-3.

The momentum Read created didn’t stop though and two useful partnerships developed as Hertford looked to be more proactive, firstly between Pavey and McCarroll (13), then Pavey and Reid (28). By this time Pavey had made his way to a decent 50 and Hertford were on 150 with around 18 overs left and an outside chance of chasing the Northwood total. However, Reid, then Pavey fell and despite useful cameos from Ruskin and Walsh Hertford finished their 50 overs 199-9.

Hertford fell 50 runs short but can take some positives out of the fact they competed throughout the day despite a new look team and will know that on another day the run chase might have been closer with a bit of luck on their side. Hertford 2ndXI return to Balls Park vs. Kings Langley next week and will be hoping to open their account for the season!

Author: George Pavey