CE 2nds welcomed Stone SP on Sunday, a league double header due to a fixture move earlier in the season. On the back of a double win on the Saturday they were keen to keep momentum, and boy oh boy did they do just that.

Losing the toss, church were put into bat. A very familiar duo of Jordan Talbot and Harvey Sidwell opened the batting, and quickly set about building a foundation, building a run a ball partnership of 47 until sidwell managed to rebound the ball off his heel onto his stumps for 16.

Will Ross joined and set about his work with positivity and aggression. Talbot and Ross put on a fine 80 run stand until Jordan chipped a ball back to the bowler for a well made 44. Enter Sam Whitehouse, who has been studying hard with his a-levels and now with some freedom to enjoy his cricket!

A joy to watch, and smashed the opposition all round the park. An unreal innings, including 12 4s and 5 6’s for a stunning 96 off just 51 balls.

Ross was the steadier of the two and was out for a fine 58.

In form Elliot joining in the fun making 44 in quick time and Ollie Wilson belting 24 off the last over was a nice cameo finishing unbeaten on 27. Church ending the innings on a brilliant record breaking 331!

The big score was formidable, and credit to the Stone SP opening batsmen of Weaver and Seabridge putting on a super 76 partnership Sam Whitehouse made the break through (a fine diving catch at short mid on from the injured skipper loz sidwell). The huge total meant church could share the bowling with the whole team pretty much having a go, and whilst there was some great young talent on display from stone, no one really kicked on.

Bowling highlights were the 2 youngsters of Archie Wilkes and Harvey Sidwell, both bowling their full quotas of 8 overs and both as it happened returning identical figures of 2-23!

Nearly ton man Sam W bowled nicely too & grabbed a couple wickets, Will and Jordan chipping in with a wicket each, and some tidy spin from Gerry meant the innings finished on 194-9, and the 21 points to church.
Special mention to the Stone juniors, some super batting on display and they should all be very proud of their efforts against a daunting total.
For church, it’s great to see sam whitehouse at his brilliant best, and now exams are over that he can play more stunning cricket that was on display today!
Church 2s climb to the dizzy heights of 4th in the league, and just 22 points off top spot. Surely promotion hopes must be on the agenda as we move into the 2nd half of the season ??