YOU'VE BEEN JUNIOR'D

A highly entertaining day's cricket saw the 'wood pick up their 2^nd successive victory against the 10 men of Harpenden. Missing 2 Tipping's from the line-up 'wood promoted Rillo and Chesh to the team that is looking stronger by the week.

Once again 'wood batted first and were off to a dreadful start when they lost both openers for 4 on the board after the 2^nd over. With Sosman and in-form Ryan (Mystic) we looked to consolidate but the pitch was hard going and the bowling tight. Sosman then departed bowled for the 3^rd week in a row for 8 leaving 'Wood dangerously placed on 29-3 bringing Reeve (Luigi) to the crease. These two got their heads down and pushed the 'wood forwards with them both making some nice shots, just as a more solid base was developing Mystic departed after being stumped for 21. Calvin-ul-haq was then brought out howe ver Luigi then holed out to long-on after getting out to the same spinner he was dominating for 29. The 'wood needed a few more runs for their bowlers to defend and some smart running between the wickets between Rillo and Calv helped, along with a couple of lusty fours by Calv but when Rillstone was bowled and Cheshire followed soon after more work was needed. Calv was then cleaned up after trying his second "Hansie" of the day and after two lusty blows from Tonka he went caught at long-off 'wood slumped to 120-9 bringing in Junior last man.

What follows will go down in Chorleywood 2^nd's history. With Wile at the other end pinching runs Junior went about putting the bowling to all part, 9 four's followed dispatched to all parts including lifting the opening bowler over mid-wicket for a one bounce 4. A superb innings of clean hitting finished unbeaten on 41 when Wile was bowled and from 120-9 the 'wood finished on 172.

When 'wood took to the field Tonka decided to rest Junior after his exquisite innings and placed the new ball in Sosman's hands whilst he bowled some "off-spin" at the other "i.e. same pace but shorter run". With the added lift of the pitch Tonka added a new weapon to his arsenal and with the ball popping and seaming he had both the batsman and Calvin in trouble. Sosman was having trouble with the slope and a fiery spell mixed the unplayable with the "where the **** did that go?". However Sosman did deliver when he to ok their number 1 and 3 both bowled whilst Tonka tied down the other end. Tonka's tight bowling was then too much for the no 4 who chipped one to Sosman at mid-wicket and the 'wood were now on top at 44-3. Haye was playing some very nice shots but slightly mistimed a straight drive and Wile took a good catch at long-on with no hassle. With the danger man gone Wile who hadn't bowled yet snaffled another catch off Junior's bowling to help cement his "all-rounder" role. Wile however saved his best catch for his own bowling, off his second over the batsman looked to smack him back over his head before he stuck out a hand a caught a beaut. Cue delirious celebrations as Harpenden were in trouble at 80-6 and with 3 men left in the hutch. G. Cuppello added to his 4 wickets with s ome nice shots including putting Tonka into the car park for 6 before trying the same thing to Wile and being cleaned up. Tonka then decided to rest himself after 16 overs of torture for both batsman and keeper alike to leave Luigi to produce the ball of the day when he managed to seam one back past the batsman's gua rd to clip middle and off. One man left and the very next over saw Elliot playing back and across and being caught by Wile's "fizzer" no question and the 'wood go on to take their 2^nd victory in a row and win by 51 runs.

Once again the 'woods middle order stayed solid and the tail wagged magnific ently to set up a decent score whilst the bowlers were as tight as ever. Junior's 41* was a fine knock and as always the fielding was solid with plenty of encouragement for our bowlers who responded well and they all picked up wickets.

Hard to single out the moment of the day but with Wile's 3 great catches and important wickets, Junior's flamboyant innings and the whole atmosphere whilst fielding another VERY enjoyable day's cricket was had by all.