Braywood 2’s suffered their second successive defeat against Pinkneys Green at home on Saturday, thanks in no small part to a remarkably unorthodox innings from a Pinkneys opener. Also unusually for the first time this season they had an umpire in the form of Simon Davis.

The toss was lost by Braywood again, and Pinkneys Green decided to field first, it is likely that Braywood would have batted anyway had they won. Russell and West opened as usual and maintained their cautious but solid approach which has worked well so far this season. Unfortunately for Russell, just when he looked like getting settled he was out caught for 17. Hasnad Bhatti, one of now 3 Bhatti’s in the Braywood team, joined West at the crease looking to score some runs in the sun. With West playing a supporting role, Bhatti played fluently, hitting a couple of 4’s and a 6 before being trapped LBW for 23, leaving Braywood 68 for 2, this swiftly became 68 for 3 when Stuart Phillips was cleaned up for a first baller. Debutant Awais Bhatti made his way to the crease and hit a spirited 13 before falling LBW. Stuart West kept accumulating at one end while Rob McDermott came in and played positively. They both put on 61 for the fifth wicket in an entertaining stand before McDermott was bowled by Ali for a good 30. This was followed up immediately by West’s departure, caught for watchful 46 just short of his second 50 of the season. However, Braywood were not finished yet, as a useful partnership developed between Zee Bhatti and the returning veteran Andrew Langley. Bhatti rode his luck with a few aerial shots, but hit a couple of good 4’s and a 6. Langley was bowled for 18 and Bhatti caught on 30 as Braywood tried to get as many runs as possible before the 52nd over. Cameos from Mughal and Oswald saw them reach a score of 229 for 9.

After tea Braywood opened the bowling using the old ball and their two spinners. Rob McDermott at one end and the left handed Phillips at the other. Despite finding some turn after 6 Overs the breakthrough had not materialised, so the new ball was taken by Hasnad Bhatti and Duane Carter. It was at this stage that the Pinkneys Green opener Nazir decided to break the shackles. His unorthodox but extremely effective stroke play put the Braywood bowlers well and truly to the sword, including a massive straight 6 off Bhatti that cleared the main road. This only had a demoralising affect on the whole Braywood team, who realised at the rate Nazir was going the match would be over in swift time. Eventually Nazir played one odd shot too many and Carter bowled him for 88; however, at 120 for 1 with plenty of Overs to go, victory looked a certainty for Pinkeys.

This was not to be the case though as Braywood showed they were made of sterner stuff staging a dramatic fight back. After despatching with Nazir, Carter then trapped their new batsman for a duck. The next pairing then started a decent partnership which saw Braywood heads drop again. The introduction of Ahmer Mughal into the attack had an immediate effect as he bowled the other opener Chris Hayes for 39 in his first Over. This then saw Pinkeys innings falter as accurate and pacey bowling from the inspired Mughal and returning Hasnad Bhatti put the batsmen onto the back foot. Mughal kept picking up wickets and Bhatti would have joined in if he had not of bowled a couple of batsmen after no-balling. Colin Russell took his third catch of the campaign to help Mughal on the way to an impressive 5 wicket haul in his first match of the season. This might even have been 6 but for Phillips dropping a regulation chance at Point. Unfortunately for Braywood though, both Mughal and Bhatti’s heroic efforts were not quite enough as the last pair saw Pinkeys home with 10 Overs to spare.

This was yet another case of so near yet so far for the mighty 2’s, who may reflect that if it hadn’t been for Nazir’s assault on the bowling, they could have wrapped up the points. On another day he so easily would have been out for much less but everything went for him it seemed. Positives can be taken from the fact the team battled right until the end and Ahmer Mughal can be very proud of his spell of bowling and the passion he showed. Braywood must learn however to take all 10 wickets!

Next week the 2’s travel to Winchmore Hill for a game they need to win in order to get their season back on track.