A winning start for the 2nd XI

The 2nd XI season kicked off with a home game against Pagham 3rd's. Having won the toss and electing to field, Eastergate set about the task. Opening with the father son pairing of Rew Reed (9-4-21-1) and Harvey Reed (8-0-29-3) the Pagham openers were surpressed to just 19 off the first 7 overs. Harvey broke the deadlock trapping L Wladen (2) lbw in his 3rd over. After a short rain break play resumed, M Norrell (42) continued his progress with M Loveridge (16) until Loveridge was caught and bowled by Rew Reed.

Norrell succumbed to a fine catch at point from Will Wells (1-0-25-0), off the bowling of Matthew Bentley (9-0-56-1) who had a super 9 over spell. Mark Bentley (5-0-16-1) took over at the road end and promptly took L Walker (8) caught and bowled in his first over.

M Wladen (8) was the next to go with a lovely caught and bowled from Harvey Reed, top scorer J Marshall (58) fell in Harvey Reeds' next over ending a fine innings.

Chris Radford (6-0-30-3) mopped up the lower order with a fine spell of spin bowling with Son Thom taking a nice catch off him.

Fergus Geraets (2-0-13-0) finished off the innings to leave Pagham on 200-9 off their 40 overs.

So with 201 the target Eastergate set off in persuit, with a mix of exuberant youth and irrepressable experience Thom Radford (32) and John Etherington (72). Radford played an excellant array of shots during his innings until finally falling to Loveridge (6-1-22-1) in the 14th over.

With the score already on 49, Matthew Bentley (10) continued with Etherington putting on another 32 until D Drake (5-0-36-1) had Bentley caught by M Wladen (6-0-39-0).

Rew Reed (59no) joined Etherington and together put on a partnership of 90, with Etherington in particular rolling back the years with some super stroke play. Etherington eventually going to B Bicknell ( 3-0-14-1) caught by M Norrell.

Reed and Will Wells (8no) saw Eastergate over the line to finish with the win in the 37th over.

So a great game and brilliant to see colts on both sides having a real impact on a game. With 4 father and son combo's on the field (5 if you include Richard umpiring and Dawson playing!)

Many thanks to Richard Drake for umpiring and the Pagham scorer for her wonderfully kept book.