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12th May
Brentwood 2nd XI - 101-9
Woodford Wells 2nd XI - 91 all out
Brentwood won by 11 runs
Report by Paul Larner
Brentwood second team started their campaign with an astounding victory at home to Woodford Wells on Saturday. After Captain Chris Boon had lost the toss on a lively and green wicket and Brentwood had lost Sonny Willis to a first ball injury it was not looking like a good start to the season.
Brentwood lost wickets on regular occasions with some injudicious shots and some equally inadvisable running between the wickets. After Gulfraz Muwaz was out LBW to the left arm swing of Reynolds Brentwood initiated recoveries, but failed to sustain them. When Phil Brooks was ludicrously run out, Chris Stevens, Paul Larner and Chris Boon all followed to poor shots after getting starts.
Opening bowlers Paul Degg and Dave Balroop hit boundaries but again the recovery was short lived as Degg went for one too many after one massive six. The rain then intervened as played was delayed for an hour and forty five minutes. However, despite the threat of rain clouds there was no more rain on the OCG as the last exciting two hours of play went uninterrupted.
After Essex starlet Harry Jones went there was more ill-advised running between the wickets as Jamie Battu was run out. And soon Brentwood lost their last wicket with top scorer Dave Balroop (16) the third man out caught cutting. Brentwood felt that despite the difficult conditions they gave away 8 wickets to the opposition who to their credit caught exceptionally well.
The impeccable catching display was contagious however as Brentwood came out with real intensity in their fielding. This was matched by Degg and Balroop's opening spells but Woodford Wells stood up to the challenge to take the score to 23-0. However Paul Webb took a brilliant catch at second slip, the first of three for him for the day, and Brentwood never looked back.
Woodford were soon 30-4 as the middle order failed to contribute any runs. Wickets fell at regular intervals with Degg (4-35) finding perfect line and length on a helpful track. Balroop was also unlucky to finish with only 2-22. Brentwood only had 101 to defend though and Woodford edged towards the target despite the loss of wickets. Muwaz had also picked up 2-16 in a tight spell.
With five overs left they had two wickets left and 18 runs to get. Boon had already turned to spinner Jones and he duly delivered the final two wickets. Both wickets were "skyers" one caught by Paul Webb and the final one by a delighted Dave Balroop.
Captain Boon was obviously ecstatic, "It was an outstanding bowling and fielding display. We're indebted to Lee Battu who stepped in as a substitute fielder after we lost Sonny Willis on the first ball of the game. However, we have to be disappointed with our batting, 101 is not going to win you many games and we have to improve the area of our game next week at Hainault and Clayhall."
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26th May
Brentwood 2nd XI - 201-5
Chelmsford 2nd XI - 200
Brentwood won by 5 wickets
Report by Chris Boon
Brentwood 2nd XI achieved their second victory in three games due largely to a majestic century from Richard Walford.
On a cold, dreary day at the Old County Ground, Brentwood skipper Chris Boon invited Chelmsford to bat on a damp, seamer-friendly pitch. It looked a good decision as Dave Balroop made life difficult for the visiting batsmen, gaining movement off the wicket and prodigious swing, removing Chidley and Everard, both bowled.
At 16-2, the visitors were in a precarious situation, but apart from the excellent Balroop, the Brentwood seam attack mis-fired, and Chelmsford, through Thrift, and in particular Daniels, got themselves back into the game. It was no surprise when the home side turned to spin, in the guise of 16 year-old off-spinner Harry Jones and the veteran leg-spin of Paul Webb.
Jones was immediately into a groove, producing exaggerated turn and bounce from his subtle variations, but it was Webb who struck first, causing the dangerous Daniels to flick a catch to the grateful home captain to depart for a well-made 59. Jones then got rid of Thrift after neat work from Brentwood keeper Alex Priddle. Iqbal gave both Webb and Priddle their second victims via a neat stumping, but sensible batting from Rycroft ensured Chelmsford reached 200 fom the last over, gaining the maximum 8 batting points.
Jones 18 overs 3-55 and Balroop 14 overs 2-26, were the pick of the Brentwood attack.
The Brentwood reply got off to a cautious start through Pete Morgan and Phil Brooks.
After a brief spell from Moss, Chelmsford skipper Keith Goodman called upon the nagging, accurate seam of Eddie Lawrence with immediate effect, trapping Morgan leg before in his first over and Brooks in his forth. What followed was a fantastic century partnership between Richard Walford and Gulfras Muwas. Muwas batted watchfully against some accurate bowling while Walford made light of the bowling and worsening conditions, playing exquisite shots all around the OCG. Muwas fell to Hare for 32, but Walford continued to pierce the field and find the boundary. The wickets of Boon, 14 and Harper-Horne gave the visitors fresh hope but in the ever-reliable Balroop, Walford found the perfect partner, and victory was achieved with 2 overs to go in persistent rain.
Walford's undefeated 105 was fit to win any game and makes Brentwood early season leaders of the premier league, they will be hoping to continue their early season form into next weeks game at second place Loughton.
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2nd June
Brentwood 2nd XI - 131-9 (5 points)
Loughton 2nd XI - 221 all out (12 points)
Match Drawn
Report by Paul Larner
It was a top of the league clash at Loughton on Saturday as Brentwood's second team were looking to create some daylight in the title race. On a sunny day but with a very green looking wicket Brentwood decided to field after Captain Chris Boon won the toss. However, this was as good as it got on a poor day for the league leaders.
Brentwood's bowlers started badly with openers Paul Degg and Dave Balroop going for 30 runs in the first five overs. However, with the introduction of Stuart Harper-Hall and a change of ends for Balroop, Brentwood dragged themselves back into the game. Only 34 runs came off of the next 15 overs and when Degg (2-42) was brought back down the slope he took the first two Loughton wickets.
With Brentwood seemingly in control some missed half chances in combination with some excellent batting from Taiani (53) and Wilden (50) Loughton took the game away from them. It was in this crucial period of the game in which Brentwood produced some indifferent bowling and fielding, upon which Loughton capitalised.
Soon Loughton looked like scoring in excess of 250 on a green wicket which would have been out of Brentwood's reach. However, the one bright spot of the day was the return to bowling form of Richard Walford (4-28) who took the tail of the Loughton team and stemmed the flow of runs.
The Loughton bowling attack modelled their bowling on his though and bowled a tight wicket to wicket line. This flummoxed the Brentwood batsmen as they failed to get the ball away from the start. Within a short time they found themselves at 65-5. Loughton needed 5 wickets from the last twenty overs and Brentwood an unlikely seven an over to win.
Wickets continued to fall and with six overs left only the last two wickets were needed. However, Paul Degg in his own inimitable style bludgeoned Brentwood in excess of 125 and to another point and when he was out, seemingly in pursuit of the 18 sixes needed to win off of the last 3 overs, Harry Jones and Paul Webb saw Brentwood to the end.
It was a disappointing performance from Brentwood in which they were out bowled, fielded and batted. With three consecutive away fixtures this is going to become a make or break period in Chris Boon's team's season. If they are to maintain their title push they will need to pick up some vital victories.
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9th June
Brentwood 2nd XI - 209 all out (8 points)
Wanstead 2nd XI - 262-9 declared (20 points)
Wanstead won by 53 runs
Report by Paul Larner
Brentwood travelled to Wanstead on Saturday expecting a low scoring encounter and found themselves in a huge run chase which they were disappointed not to make. Wanstead won the toss and elected to bat on a green wicket that looked far better than many would've predicted and despite discussions Captain Chris Boon refused Wanstead the chance to start the second innings with the old ball.
When Degg picked up the first wicket with the fourth ball of the game, Brentwood were looking to apply the pressure. However, Wanstead responded with the rest of their top six all contributing useful runs. Despite some excellent fielding, which was set up with some excellent pre-game warm up drills, Brentwood were bowling a bad ball every over. Only young Essex starlet Harry Jones (2-62) made an impression on the batsmen but his pressure was un-done with too many bad balls from the other end.
Boon rotated his bowling but to no avail as Wanstead continued to press on. When opener Dave Balroop returned he threatened to stop the Wanstead momentum as they passed 200 he, with the help of some excellent catching from Reilly and Gulfraz Muwaz picked up 2-62.
Despite Balroop's superb second spell failed to stop the tail enders as they provided what turned out to be a game winning impetuous smashing the ball to all parts at the end of Wanstead's impressive 262-9. Boon's men, with a last over farcical run out, picked up the maximum bowling points.
Brentwood got off to a great start despite losing Boon (21) and Richard Walford early on. An impressive third wicket partnership of 94 from Muwaz (45) and Chris Phillips (62) put Brentwood at 130-2. Even when Muwaz was out Brentwood were looking impressive needing 100 to win from the last 20 overs with 6 wickets in hand.
Even when Peter Morgan was out LBW the first ball after drinks but even then vice captain Paul Larner and Dave Balroop were looking comfortable and had time on their side. But two poor shots from Larner and Degg within two balls left Brentwood reeling at 187-7. Balroop saw Brentwood to maximum batting points but keeper Reilly, who, as Boon pointed out kept well, was out to a horrible shot and he was quickly followed by the two wickets. At the end of the game Brentwood still had 8 overs left.
Captain Boon saw the positives but was inevitably disappointed, "We fielded superbly well taking all our catches and in recent weeks it had been like a library on the field but today there was a lot of support from all the fielders towards the bowlers. In a position like that with 20 overs to go we should win, but a combination of too many bad balls and too many poor shots cost us victory." Brentwood travel to Hornchurch next week looking to restore some momentum to their season.
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16th June
Brentwood 2nd XI - 142-4 (18 points)
Hornchurch 2nd XI - 140 all out (3 points)
Brentwood won by 6 wickets
Report by Paul Larner
Paul Degg's five wicket haul enabled Brentwood's second team to get back to winning ways at Hornchurch on Saturday. Despite the rain breaks, for some heavy showers, Chris Boon's team kept their focus after he won the toss and decided to bowl in bowler friendly conditions.
Degg's first over was aided by the wicket and he duly picked up the first wicket with the assistance of some extra bounce. Wickets then fell at regular occasions with the man from the 'Potteries' (5-42) picking up five of the first six batsmen. He was clearly delighted with his first wicket haul for Brentwood, "After a couple of poor performances I'm pleased to show some good rhythm and hitting some good areas."
Hornchurch's batters had clearly decided that shot playing was the best approach and after 12 overs they were going at six an over but had lost 7 wickets.
Despite getting the covers on and off a couple of times and the game being delayed for short bursts of rain Brentwood were in control. However, when Neill came into bat he showed the rest of his team that patience and good shot selection were the way forward and he impressively fought back against the Brentwood attack. He made an impressive 48 before being caught behind off of Richard Walford (1-13).
The spindly Harry Jones had bowled with great accuracy with four consecutive maidens and his persistence paid off as he took the wicket of Church (17) who had supported Neill well. Jones (3-30) then finished off the innings and Brentwood needed 141 to win at around four an over.
The opening pair of Chris Phillips (31) and Steve Taylor (19) put on 50 for the first wicket and Brentwood's chase was never in doubt from that point. All the batsmen contributed and Degg was promoted to see the game home early in case the rain revisited. Chris Boon's men made it to the target in less than 30 overs and with plenty of time to spare.
The win gets Brentwood's title chasing push back on track after two poor results and Captain Boon was as relieved as he was pleased, "It's good to win again and good to win without our most consistent bowler Dave Balroop (0-52) producing the goods. Our fielding was again good and the batsmen saw us home well."
Brentwood now have three consecutive home fixtures, starting with Colchester, and will look for positive results in each in order to have a realistic title opportunity.
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14th July
Woodford Wells 2nd XI - 281-9 (11 points)
Brentwood 2nd XI - 163-7 (6 points)
Match Drawn
Report by Paul Larner
Brentwood's second team traveled to Woodford on Saturday after being deposed from the top of the league table by Ilford who had defeated Brentwood the week before. The second team was without Captain Chris Boon so vice captain Paul Larner stepped into his shoes. He started well by winning the toss and inserting the opposition.
Brentwood's bowlers started well as Paul Degg found the edge with the first ball of the game. It wasn't long before he picked up a wicket with Shah caught behind by Larner for 0. Woodford's other opening batsmen was soon gone to the ever consistent David Balroop (1-40) also caught by stand in keeper Larner. The Woodford Wells team responded well with a stand of 50 before the introduction of Gulfraz Muwaz (2-29) who clean bowled Reynolds for 31. Wells were soon 106-4 and Brentwood continued to take regular wickets but R Gunalan stood firm for the home team. Brentwood were also disadvantaged by only having 10 men fielding as Degg strained his back bowling.
The game was interestingly poised with the Wells at 202-8 but with plenty of time left before the declaration. Finally Gunalan received some support from number 10 Murphy as he plundered a quick fire 52 before he was caught behind off of the bowling of Muwaz. Woodford had taken the game away from Brentwood at this point and declared in the 48th over having scored 281-9 with R Gunalan scoring 111 not out.
Despite it being a big score Brentwood knew that it was a batting paradise and only the early new swinging ball caused any problems. However, these problems were too many for the Brentwood batsmen as they collapsed to 38-6. It was left to Andy Richardson (58no) and Dave Balroop to restore some pride as they batted for two hours to put on 100 runs before Balroop (57) was bowled by Reynolds (5-41). Larner came in and saw out the last five overs with Richardson to leave Brentwood at 163-7 at the close.
Brentwood will be disappointed as they only picked up six points but should take their performance in the first 25 overs of the Woodford innings and the last 25 overs of theirs into their next game. Stand in skipper Larner was optimistic, "Despite having a lot of injuries we have to learn to apply ourselves like Balroop and Richardson did. Our fielding in the last twenty overs also has to improve; we have to back our bowlers up. However, we have shown signs of improvement today and we're still in the title race." Brentwood are at home to Hainault and Clayhall next week who they drew with in game two of the season. Only a win will enable them to maintain a title push.
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18th August
Brentwood 2nd XI - 243-5 (20 points)
South Woodford 2nd XI - 220 all out (6 points)
Brentwood won by 5 wickets
Report by Paul Larner
Brentwood's second team hosted bottom of the league South Woodford on Saturday at the OCG. The reverse fixture was abandoned earlier in the year without a ball being bowled but the weather was set fair for a good days cricket this time around. With overnight rain the wicket was looking green and it looked a good toss for captain Chris Boon to win but unfortunately, much like his batting, he failed to deliver and Brentwood were asked to bat.
Despite the early loss of Peter Morgan Brentwood performed admirably in bowler friendly conditions and Gulfraz Muwaz and Steve Taylor put on over 100 hundred for the second wicket. Taylor eventually went for 53 with 20 overs to go and the score on 118-2. Muwaz then pushed on and was particularly destructive of anything short of a length as he made his way past fifty before being caught out for an impressive 83. By this point Paul Larner had joined him and made a brisk 27 before being caught behind pushing the score on. Captain Boon made a well constructed 17 not out at the end before Dave Balroop was the last man out after contributing a huge six in his 31 runs.
Brentwood declared after 49 overs leaving South Woodford a potential 50 overs to get the runs.
The reply started steadily with opening bowlers Paul Degg and Balroop unlucky to take early wickets. It was first change bowler Muwaz who made the break through with both openers dismissed in consecutive overs leaving South Woodford at 50-2. It was Asif who was to prove the main stay of the away team's innings as he contributed 56 runs before young Essex starlet Harry Jones (1-29) had him caught by wicket keeper Larner down the leg side. With 20 overs to go the game was well poised, South Woodford needed 120 with 6 wickets remaining.
The wily Paul Webb (2-40) was proving difficult to get away, until his last over, and he accounted for two wickets; one caught and bowled and Larner providing a leg side stumping. As South Woodford closed in on a vital victory, the still needed a run a ball with four wickets left, Boon brought back Degg and Balroop to massive effect. Balroop bowled two consecutive maidens and Degg took two wickets with both batsmen brilliantly caught. Firstly Larner diving full stretch to his right and then Webb sprinting in from the boundary taking a low catch in front of him. Degg left it to Balroop to clean up the last two batsmen and he duly obliged by knocking out middle and leg stump. Brentwood won and had gained 20 points in the process.
Boon was ecstatic with the victory, "It's always difficult to bat first and win but we bowled exceptionally well at times and despite the odd early missed catch we held them when it mattered most. Although unlikely to win the league now, we'll never stop believing."
Brentwood, now in third, travel to Chelmsford to play Colchester at the county ground on Saturday as Essex are playing at Colchester. A win and Boon can believe a little more.
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25th August
Brentwood 2nd XI - 231-9 declared (11 points)
Colchester & East Essex 2nd XI - 214-7 (8 points)
Match Drawn
Report by Paul Larner
Brentwood's second team traveled to the county ground in Chelmsford on Saturday for vital game against a struggling Colchester side. The excitement of playing at the county's foremost ground subsided after they were refused entry into the changing rooms, they saw a very dodgy looking wicket and to cap it all Captain Chris Boon lost the toss and Brentwood were asked to bat. Brentwood required a win to keep Captain Boon believing in an unlikely league win.
With the ball seaming and swinging both ways early on and coming from a background of black sightscreens which were in place for the forthcoming day/night game, the Colchester bowlers were enjoying the game vastly more than the Brentwood batsmen and Peter Morgan departed for 8 in the fifth over. Paul Larner joined the in form Steve Taylor at the crease and both were largely on the defensive against bowling that was taking advantage of the conditions. Despite seeming to have got through the difficult conditions both were dismissed in quick succession with Larner (28) caught at slip, although the fielder himself seemed unsure as to whether the catch was clean, and Steve Taylor (38) out caught before he achieved his fourth consecutive fifty.
This only brought the in form Boon (56) and Dave Balroop (55) to the crease at 81-3. Both eased the ball to the boundary on regularly occasions taking Brentwood from a potentially precarious position into a very strong one. Both had reached well constructed fifties when they fell trying to push the run rate on. Their 100 run partnership had put Brentwood in a possible winning position.
Brentwood's lower order took the score onto 231-9 before Boon declared an over early to leave Colchester needing a tempting four and a half an over for victory. It was a victory that seemed highly unlikely when wickets started falling at regular intervals. First opening bowler Paul Degg had the opener caught behind before Joe Fryd, returning from injury, took 3 wickets in a lively opening spell including one wicket where he up-rooted the middle stump.
Dave Balroop also joined in on the action as he picked up one of the middle order wickets before Paul Webb's cleverly flighted delivery found an edge to the diving Peter Morgan at gully. Webb has proven himself to be a vital asset to the team both with the ball and in the field all season, he regularly picks up important wickets and Boon has been well pleased with his contributions this year. Chris Stockwell was also bowling well from the opposite end and found himself a wicket caught at mid-off by Larner.
Colchester were reeling at 90-7 as they, like Brentwood's early batsmen, had not enjoyed batting on a wicket that had been uncovered. However, despite Brentwood continuing to press for victory Colchester managed to bat well in the last 25 overs in improving conditions. Both batsmen offered very little to the Brentwood bowlers or fielders and gradually picked up a few runs. They also let loose in the last five overs scoring fifty very quickly to take the score to 214-7. They may have wished that they had gone with ten overs to go and victory may have been theirs.
Captain Boon was pleased with another very good display where 4 of the top 5 contributed in difficult conditions and his team fielded and bowled extremely well. Boon said, "It was a very good performance, particularly from myself and Paul Webb who continues to play excellent cricket in the second team; he is a real under estimated asset."
Boon's team host Hornchurch next week needed two wins and a small miracle for Boon to carry on believing that the title can be theirs.
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1st September
Hornchurch 2nd XI - 125 all out (4 points)
Brentwood 2nd XI - 129-5 (18 points)
Brentwood won by 5 wickets
Report by Paul Larner
Captain Chris Boon is still believing that Brentwood's second team can pull off an unlikely title victory as Brentwood produced a domineering display at home to Hornchurch on Saturday. Boon started the day well by unusually winning the toss and inserting the opposition who are trying to fight of relegation.
It wasn't long until the ever reliable opening bowlers Paul Degg and Dave Balroop had Hornchurch under pressure. It was Balroop who struck first by taking two wickets in his third over one caught behind by wicket keeper Paul Larner and the other up-rooting middle stump. His third wicket was not long after and soon the opposition were 21-3.
Ben Holmes then broke the small partnership that was forming for the third wicket with Degg taking the catch. Boon then turned to the young spin twins of Tim Barbone and Chris Stockwell. They were soon into their stride as Rocky Barbone reduced Hornchurch to 69-5. The future looks bright for Brentwood as Barbone took five wickets in an outstanding spell. Stockwell, not just a great scorer, also chipped in with a wicket in an equally impressive spell.
Hornchurch made it past the 125 mark before Barbone completed his five wicket haul. Had Brentwood been better at catching the innings would've finished significantly earlier. Brentwood's ground fielding was excellent but if they are to win next week against Ilford their catching must improve.
Despite the early loss of Tony Jones in the Brentwood innings and Boon's decision not to elevate pinch-hitter Paul Webb up the order the result was never in doubt. The in form Steve Taylor was caught brilliantly in the gully before a 40 run partnership between Peter Morgan (28) and Paul Larner (39). When Morgan was out Balroop produced a small cameo before he and Larner were out with just four needed for victory. The four was produced fittingly by captain Boon with a trademark drive through mid on.
Boon's boys find themselves within touching distance of the two teams above them as Chelmsford lead the table by 6 points from Ilford who are themselves 5 points ahead of Brentwood. Only a dominant win at Ilford next week will be enough for Brentwood to have a chance of winning the league. Boon was typically optimistic, "I like to live by the motto never stop believing and we still have a chance. Chelmsford will need to chase next week so if they don't win there is a distinct possibility, if we bowl like we did today, that we can snatch it at the last. We must however, improve our catching which could ultimately prove our downfall."
It would prove to be one of the most unlikely league wins in the history of the club as Brentwood have not led the league since June and go into the final day in third. Boon will hope that what he believes will become reality at Valentine's Park next week.
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8th September
Brentwood 2nd XI - 288-6 (11 points)
Ilford 2nd XI - 184-7 (5 points)
Match Drawn
Report by Paul Larner
Brentwood's second team traveled to Valentine's Park, Ilford on Saturday with title aspirations but if Captain Chris Boon's team were to succeed they would have to try and get the maximum 20 points batting first and bowling the opposition out. Brentwood started the game 5 points behind their opposition for the day who were themselves 6 points behind Chelmsford. If Chelmsford were to win both these teams would be playing for runners up spot. It was to prove to be an eventful last day of the league season and the old adage "every point matters" was going to ring true by the end of the day.
The toss was fairly academic, Boon wanted to bat Ilford captain Ali wanted to field. Brentwood put 30 runs on the board before they lost Peter Morgan LBW. Morgan was opening with Gulfraz Muwaz, who was batting superbly well, after normal opener Steve Taylor had gone down with food poisoning. Muwaz (59) was looking in imperious form until he was also adjudged LBW. At this point Brentwood were precariously placed at 117-5 as both Captain and Vice Captain had departed.
Youngster Stuart Harper-Horne steadied the ship with the ever reliable Dave Balroop and they had put on a fifty partnership to see Brentwood to nearly maximum batting points when Harper-Horne (30) was out trying to push the scoring along. This only brought in the destructive Paul Degg and he, along with Balroop, put on over a hundred for the seventh wicket, smashing the ball to every part of the ground and its surroundings.
Then, as in the first game, as the Brentwood innings came to a close there was some controversy as the scorer, according to the umpire, was two overs short and Brentwood might have to declare with Balroop within sight of his hundred. However after a little debate Balroop completed his hundred within three balls and Brentwood declared early at a huge 288-6 from 50.3 overs.
By tea it had become obvious that these two were playing for second and Brentwood were in the box seat by picking up 8 batting points to Ilford's 2 bowling. Boon's men led by one at half time. One was going to be very important though.
Maths, it became apparent, is not a strong point at Ilford. They believed themselves to be 6 points ahead and knew, correctly, that if the teams tied Ilford would finish ahead of their visitors based on games won. As the Ilford innings developed Ilford's batting resembled their Maths as they lost early wickets. Degg made inroads with the new ball, as Paul Webb took a smart catch in the gulley, and when Gulfraz Muwaz picked up the pinch hitter Ilford had no realistic chance of winning the game. It became a battle for bonus points. Muwaz followed up his wicket with a smart run out.
Only the captain Ali offered any resistance but he eventually drilled one straight at 'buckets' Boon at mid wicket to give young spinner Chris Stockwell a wicket. The game was interestingly poised. Ilford were 125-6 and as it stood needed to get to 175 in order to get the bonus points to finish runners-up. However, when Muwaz picked up his second wicket, after a very good catch from Michael Watson, Ilford then needed to get to 200 to get the required batting points, effectively 50 in 12 overs. However, somehow they seemed to think that 175 would be enough. They then meandered along to 175 before "shutting up shop" and blocking the final four overs. Brentwood didn't advertise the mis-calculation and as the game came to a close they shook hands with their somewhat over-exuberant hosts and allowed them to believe that they had indeed claimed the coveted second place, as they had been shouting from the sidelines for the final throws of the game. Brentwood however made a quick phone call to the team manager, Mrs Annette Boon, and their celebrations erupted in the visitors changing room, much to Ilford's bemusement, before they confirmed with their hosts that they needed to stop their own celebrations as their tactics had cost them dear and they had missed out on second place by just one solitary point, equating to just 16 runs.
Talking before the evening's celebrations got into full flow, Boon was rightly jubilant. "We were only promoted last year and most teams don't survive their first year so to finish second is a fantastic achievement. Balroop's innings today was outstanding but we backed it up with great bowling, as normal, as well as some outstanding catching and ground fielding."
Brentwood will finish the season with their usual end of season celebrations with many candidates for player of the season, Balroop, Degg and Harry Jones have been excellent with the ball and Boon himself has contributed runs-a-plenty. It could really be any one from those and Brentwood will begin next year with real title aspirations under Boon's leadership once more.
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