Fledgling Twoos Force Draw At Harting

Wrecclesham 2nd XI vs Harting 2nd XI played at Harting on 6 May.

The match was notable for unbeaten maiden I'Anson fifties by James Merryweather and Mitch Brown as the Twoos came close to chasing down a challenging total of 200 for 9 off 45 overs set by the home side reaching 179 for the loss of just 1 wicket.

With skipper Tony Boniface winning the toss and electing to field, Mitch and James both produced hostile and accurate opening spells to keep the home side pegged to 24 for 1 off the first 10 overs. After that, Harting gradually picked up the rate though losing wickets along the way to finish on 200 for 9. Mitch held two good catches and Bernie Bridger made an impression on the square with a fine diving catch at mid-on. Leo-Jack Carter reminded everyone of his value as a 'go to' bowler with two valuable wickets in a 4 over spell just as the Harting tail were looking to make hay. Ryan Brown, Scott Newman, and Bernie Bridger all picked up a wicket apiece, with James and Mitch both bowling their full allocation of 12 overs and taking 3 for 33 and 1 for 59 respectively.

Faced with a two ton total, the openers Bernie Bridger and Barry Croucher got the Twoos got off to the solid start that was needed. When Barry had to retire on 38with a pulled muscle, Mitch Brown joined James Merryweather at the wicket. The two fledgling Twoos produced a superb display of batting combining excellent running, sound defence, and a mixture of timing and powerful hitting in attack. Both batsmen finished undefeated, James on 64 and Mitch on 61. Despite accelerating the scoring from 26 off the second 10 overs, to 35 off the third 10, 56 off the fourth 10 and 36 off last the 5, the Harting total proved just out of reach.

This was a good team performance against an experienced Harting side third in the table at the start of play Fine batting performances by James and Mitch in this match add to the 50 already scored by Hayden Newman against Tongham.

Match Report by Grey Owl