1s lose to strong Brondesbury

The 1st XI were defeated by a strong Brondesbury side at the weekend.

After winning the toss we elected to bat but then lost (avoidable) early wickets. However we recovered to reach 90-3 with Joe Naughton and Connor Brown working the ball nicely as we sought to push towards a score of circa 200. However Brown was run out after a mix-up and shortly thereafter Naughton was stumped, for a fluent 59. Wickets continued to fall and 90-3 suddenly became 104-8 with most dismissals being at least partly self-inflicted. Rhett Wallbridge managed to push the score towards respectability, but we were finally dismissed for 145. A score that was always likely to prove very hard to defend.

We took an early wicket in strange circumstances, maybe it was obstructing the field, maybe it was run out, who knows?! And we bowled and fielded reasonably but Brondesbury batted sensibly and chipped away at the target without taking undue risks. We took two more wickets with smart catches being made by Wallbridge and Brad Sayers, but were never able to exert enough pressure with a small target to defend. One small positive was that with the accuracy of the display in the field we did at least get the consolation of a losing bonus point as Brondesbury ate up 40.4 of their allotted 45 overs in their run chase.

Overall a somewhat disappointing display against strong opponents where we needed to be at the top of our game to compete.

Enfield 145 all out in 43.2 overs
Joe Naughton 59, Rhett Wallbridge 22*

Brondesbury 146-3 in 40.4 overs

Brondesbury won by seven wickets