Day 2 of the District 1st XI Grand Final saw a heated and high quality display of cricket at RM Hooper Oval.
Delacombe resumed batting at 2 for 156 of 75 overs with a further 38 overs to Bat. Jonny continued on where he left of on Day 1 resuming at 59no with Joel next to him on 31no. The pair put on another 68 runs before Jonny fell agonising close to a Grand Final ton on 94. The duo put on an enormous 128 for the 3rd wicket partnership.
Taking nothing away from Jonny’s superb knock, Joel Malcolm stole the show with one of the greatest ever team knocks seen at Delacombe Park with a Magnificent 104 not out.
Unfortunately we lost an unusual quick wicket in Ramma but with only a bout 15 overs left for the middle order and tail had to have a swing. Andy Christides (12), Ev (6), Fish (7) , Charlsey (3) and Andy Stapleton (0 n.o.) all played unselvish knocks and batted around Joel.
It was all about the team making as biggest score as possible and they did that posting a huge 8 for 307 from their allotted 113 overs.
For Red Hill, the pick of the bowlers were Jamie McCall who took 4 wickets for 44 off 14 overs but probably the pick of the bowlers was Brent Martin who finished 36 overs, 19 Maidens, 1 for 59 including a direct hit run out from the boundary to dismiss Charlsey
Chasing 307 to win, Red Hill Started of solid with the dangerous Matthew Merifield opening up and taking on Blighty and Andy Stapleton. Robbie Fisher came on first change took control picking up the key wicket of Merifield, when he smoked one straight to Rama at cover. He then took the Hopgood wicket caught behind to Jonny, to leave Red Hill pondering at 2 for 42. Red Hill’s captain Simon Dart received a welcome reception to the crease and nearly nicked out first ball before finding his feet and settling the game down. But just as it looked like Red Hill with see it through to end of play, Dart hit one through cover wide of youngster Matt Van Wijk, and when the Red Hill opener Andre Mock came back for the second, his captain sent him back only for Stalk (matt) to have a near perfect throw back to Jonny to run him out and have Red Hill 3 down and in a little trouble.
Red Hill No. 5 Martin came in and was just a good as his bowling, remaining steady at the end of Day 2 to have the Hillmen 3 for 72 with Dart 17no and Martin 8no.
Day 3 next Saturday looks to be a great day of cricket with the game in the balance.
I’m sure with a weeks break and 1 more day to play that the game will be finished with the respect that with scorecard deserves, and all players and supporters can walk off with the heads held high applauding both teams for giving it everything.