Broxbourne 2’s entered the home match against Stevenage 2’s with high hopes of bouncing back after a disappointing loss to Preston the previous week. The team was keen to regain their form on a glorious day at Mill Lane, with the rather hungover skipper deciding to bat first on a pitch that was only going to deteriorate.

The top order saw a slow start, in-form batsman and key trumper Kay aiming to build on his two 75’s this season was bowled early for 10 and AOS got bogged down by seriously slow opening bowling (potentially Lloyd Stark’s long-lost brother) and was eventually caught without troubling the 2 DBS checked scorers on show. Rodman and Goff steadied the innings with a solid 50-run partnership before Rodman chopped on and Eales chipped one to cover leaving the game finely poised at 93/4.

Enter Benji Richardson who formed a crucial partnership with set batsman Goff - Goff went on to score a run a ball 89 and Benji added a valuable 47 before both fell to Stevenage’s premier spin bowler Tata, replays show fishy umpiring with Benji falling hook line and sinker to the beamer. At 194/7 there was still work to be done to reach the pre-match target of 270. Captain Pegg stepped up with some pinch-hitting, scoring a couple of sixes sandwiched between his trademark ‘dab’ to third man and some agricultural heaves, none more so than the shot which saw his demise – a helicopter spin well worth a watch on the YouTube highlights package. Broxbourne ended their innings at a respectable 239 all out, below par at Mill Lane but defendable with big boundaries.

Key shout out to the Stevenage wicket keeper who left a half-used Marlboro Red on the square and decided a constant barrage of the finest Carmarthenshire (potentially Geordie) abuse to Broxbourne umpire for the day Luke Halil, Sausage the Rabbit and 3’s player Benji was the way to impress his teammates …

Stevenage’s reply lacked intent, starting slowly with no urgency to chase down the target. Broxbourne’s bowlers maintained tight lines and a good length with Fishburn & Rodman leading the attack. Tel White’s impression of the aforementioned opposition wicket keeper left the opening batsman unsettled and with Jonny Extras on more runs than him, fell LBW to Glassberg after he had kindly dropped one at mid-wicket 2 balls prior. Despite the ball being down his throat, Glassberg decided or assumed he was in the middle of a tough bout with Rio at York Hall pirouetting his way to a head in hands drop. Luckily he bounced back bowling 10 brilliant overs for the Badger. Stevenage’s batting collapsed under the pressure from Broxbourne’s middle over bowlers – Glassberg, Tumbridge and 3’s player Richardson shared the wickets with JT and Benji claiming four scalps apiece. The highlight came when Sausage gave a send-off to their wicket keeper echoing the sledging he had earlier received - “bye bye Rabbit”. Another shout out to Joss Rodman with some incredible fielding on the boundary earning a huge round of applause from a crowd bored to silence by the chase, some serious commitment and athleticism on the boundary was much appreciated by all.

A crucial 30 points for Broxbourne defeating Stevenage by 95 runs, Benji Richardson claiming man of the match with a fine 47 and 4 wickets. On to Harpenden away next week, Up The Badgers