Khalid downs Farndon

The Seconds' topsy turvy season continues with one of its highs so far against a Farndon team with just one defeat before this and standing 3rd in "D". Usman Khalid rightfully gets the headlines (and the photograph - please see the exciting bowling set by yours truly) but a lot had to happen to give him the opportunity for his moment in the spotlight. Back to the norm, Eddy George lost the toss (1 success out of 11) and the Ells were inserted on a fine wicket with speedy outfield. Indeed Little Bounds looked a picture. Good to have "legend " Nadeem ("Nads") Akhtar back in the fold and he made a positive start with 29 in 30 balls but the top order departed equally swiftly to stumble to 46/4. One consolation - only 10 overs so some time recover. Indeed this was the case as the "old pros" (in games played - not age!) Matt Footitt and Eddy G went about their rebuilding in a busy fashion. Both made first Saturday 50s of the season with 22 4's between them. In fact (and this may come as a surprise to many given his sound technique and countless games played) this was Eddy G's first ever Saturday 50! A brief pause for proud dad to give the thumbs up. I hope you don't mind? However, with Raza failing for once Farndon saw the prospect of a sub 200 target, which would not necessarily daunt their usually hard hitting line up. The final twist in the innings was a spectacular calling card from recent acquisition Sunil Bange who blasted 45 in 23 balls with 6 4's and 2 6's before the always cruel dismissal of backing up as the bowler deflected the ball onto the stumps. The coup de gras came from Vivek Parekh. Batting at a lowly no 9 due to a damaged thumb (from landing on his hand on a trampoline!), he showed he can still hit a long ball with 2 6's. Not sure when the Seconds got such a score? Some research in order. Revived by the top notch teas by Mrs G, the run chase looked to be on as the block or smash it hard approach of Daniel Hubbard hit Kamran Ul-Haq for 3 successive 6's. He showed similar disdain for Eddy G who went for 15 in his second over in which "Mootitt" downed a snick behind and two boundaries were sliced over/through cover. Eventually he fell on his sword pouched by Gagan Sehmbi in the deep - the first of Eddy'd 4 victims in a 12 overs off the reel spell. From that point the home team took firm control. Step up Uzzy K. Short of form in his limited outings for the Seconds this year he got his in duckers working nicely and kept up a probing line. End result was 4 batters bowled and a leaping salmon catch for Mootitt. Time in the final rights for a couple of 6's for the lower order and a calm as you like slip catch by Nads. 73/1 to 135 a/o. A fine win with plenty of high points - and 20 points. Thank you to Ruby for the spot on scoring.