2nd XI vs Epping CC, 2nd XI

Shenfield 2XI suffered their first defeat of the 2025 season with a 2 wicket loss to an explosive Epping side.

Captain Salisbury again won the toss, and after last week’s victory followed suit by electing to bat on the used surface. Shenfield’s innings started with a 31 run partnership before Massie was eventually snaffled at the third attempt for 21. Allen followed shortly after when he was bowled for 12 from a delivery that most likely brushed the pad on the way through to 3 reds. The tidy bowling continued, and Newbould received a very good ball hitting the top of off and unfortunately Clarke followed shortly after for 1.

All of a sudden at 54-4, Shenfield found themselves in a spot of bother for the first time this season. Nevertheless some positives were taken as these issues usually begin to start a week earlier in the season.  

And so to the crease entered Nathan Woods, knowing the side needed him once again. Fresh off the back of a century, Woods once again started positively and made use of the fast outfield. Mastering the art of running hard and punishing the bad deliveries - Woods began digging Shenfield out of a hole one ‘Heigh-Ho’ at a time.

He and Salisbury (22) put on a much needed 54 for the 5^th wicket before the skipper was removed by a caught and bowled. At 107-5 Shenfield were under no illusion that to compete with Epping in the conditions, many more runs would be required. Thankfully Ovenden joined Nate at the crease and managed to engineer an excellent partnership. Woods continued to thrash the ball to all corners, in particular making use of his sweep shot, whilst Will Ovenden ably supported him at the other end giving very few, if any, chances. The pair eventually batted all the way to the innings close, but not before Woods brought up his second century in as many weekends. Jubilation echoed out once again across the SCG as Nathan cashed in for back to back tons – once again chanceless and making perfect use of the conditions. Wonderful to see and here’s hoping many notes were taken by onlookers.

Ovenden finished with a very mature 34* whilst his batting partners ball striking did not cease. With a whopping 21 boundaries Woods finished on 129*, and the pairs partnership amassed 146 runs. This left Shenfield posting a competitive 253, but knew they would have to be on the money to defend it.

Quant and Massie started Shenfield’s defence, both taking a wicket to remove both openers. Quant may perhaps consider himself unlucky for not having a wicket adjudged leg before the next ball, but didn’t dwell or mention it too much. At 11-2 and once again at 99-5, many would have considered Shenfield in the driving seat. However, with the tactics and methods accustomed to those who have watched Epping play before – many were aware the game was far from over.

Epping played their usual aggressive way and a vast mixture of towering 6s were met with Shenfield regularly taking wickets. Some good catching in the outfield from Ovenden, Salisbury and a spectacular grab from Woods meant Shenfield always remained in contention despite the Epping run rate raising ever higher with each lusty blow. A wicket for Clarke, 2 for Cockerell and 1 for Ovenden meant that at drinks Epping still required over 60 with two wickets in hand.

However, Epping continued to bludgeon the ball over the boundary and continued to score quickly with some superb power hitting, and quite a few lost balls in the surrounding gardens and trees. One batter in particular capitalised on too many loose deliveries and carried his team home to a 2 wicket win with 17 overs to spare, despite Shenfield maintaining good standards in the field.

A disappointing loss, but a good learning curve for a young side and Shenfield will look forward to the return fixture with such clear intent shown from the opposition. Perhaps on another day it could have been so different, but that therein lies the beauty of the game and what always draws us back in for another Saturday. Along with 10 bottles for £30 of course.  

Shenfield 2s travel to Loughton next week for their first away game of the season and will hope to make it 2 out of 3 on what should be another special weekend for the club.

JSB