Derby joy for the 2s

The 2's turned the tables on Chadwell Heath after a comprehensive defeat at St Chad's earlier in the season, Matt Friend's men winning by 5 wickets to move out of the relegation places for the first time in a while.

The bowlers were the key to the victory with Daryl Forward using the newer ball to good effect to pick up a couple of wickets and then Billy Smith boring the pants of everybody again with a spell of 10 overs 1 for 27, allowing Craig Ivey to do what he does best, the shark ripping through the middle and lower order with his variations.

Only Danny Finch was able to master the bowling, his 54 holding the innings together, just one significant partnership with Milan Desai (26) putting pressure on the Brook bowling. However Saun Ross removed Finch and then last man Hurrell to skittle Heath for 132, not usually a winning score on the front, as the 2's know from bitter experience....

It certainly isn't a winning score when the opening bat scores 77 not out as Danny Gillham did, the lank haired keeper being bang in form after scoring 80 odd in a crushing Robert Clack London Schools final win and the alice-banded right-hander played in typically orthodox fashion to see his side home, this time keeping his instinct to get bowled around his legs in check.

The batting at the other end remains an issue, Aaron Scott having missed the boat (and the ball) once again to be bowled by Scott Lugg for 8, however Jordan Harris dug in for 36 to get the 2's to the brink and although 3 quick wickets tumbled after Squeaky's departure, Gillham was unmoved and he & Craig Ivey saw the 2's home.

The 2's great escape tour moves on to Eastwood next week, where another win would see them into nose-bleed territory in mid-table.