The 2nd XI face a ‘must-win’ game for the third week running this coming Saturday (August 27) when they host a Sidmouth III side that currently occupy the second E Division East relegation spot, this after our 2nd XI suffered a 67-run defeat at an Ottery St Mary II side that had begun the day sitting second bottom, just a couple of points behind our side.
Mind you, how different might the outcome have not been had the unfortunate Sam Franks not suffered a serious blow to his head with the ball seeming to drive the grill of the helmet into the side of his face forcing the all-rounder off the pitch to go through the concussion protocol.
After a rest and lots of ice – the opener – who was on 27 when hurt, bravely went back into bat to try and help the side accrue as many batting points as they could muster – before he was finally out for a battling – and mighty brave – 56 which was the highest individual score of the day.
Fielding the 33rd and 34th different players to turn out for the team this league season, skipper Chris Acton won the toss and invited the Otters to bat first.
The home side moved comfortably to 67 before their openers were parted in the 15th over thanks to a fine delivery from an impressive debut-making Ben Franks – brother of Sam.
They continued to pile the runs on and the top of their order, from batter one to five, read……….33, 30, 30, 29, 36 and 26.
However, a fight back from the Ninch bowlers saw the last five wickets all clean bowled as Ottery slipped from 232-5 after 37.5 overs, to 242 all out in 42.5 overs, losing their final five wickets for the addition of just 10 runs in 30 balls.
The main architect of the Ottery collapse was fourth change Nick Acton who ended with figures of 4-22 from just three overs.
Ben Franks impressed to finish with 3-32 from eight overs and one ball and skipper Chris Acton claimed 2-49 from a full shift of nine overs.
Will Squire, with 1056 from seven, was the other successful bowler while the others to turn their arm over were opening duo Ryan Shrewsberry and James Mills with figures of 0-25 from six and 0-42 from nine, respectively.
Sam Franks and Dave Penberthy launched the Ninch reply, but, after making a confident start, the openers were separated by a run-out with ‘Digger’ trooping back with five runs to his name.
Chris Acton joined Franks and they took the score to 50, looking most comfortable too when disaster struck with that serious blow to Sam Franks that saw him fall to the turf and then make his way cautiously off the pitch with an ice pack held to the side of his head.
Will Squire took over, but, having added 15 with his skipper, Squire was caught and sent back with five runs to his name. Ben Franks was next man in, but he was bowled having played three delightful shots, and he was returned to the pavilion with 14 to his name.
That left the score 85-3 and two wickets fell with the score on 95 as first, Ryan Shrewsberry was bowled with three runs to his name and then skipper Chris Acton was also bowled, in his case, having scored 14.
With the loss of ‘Shrew’, Sam Franks bravely strode back to resume his innings, albeit with a borrowed helmet.
There was a fine 48-run partnership then from Franks and number seven bat Nick Acton – the highest sixth wicket shift of the season for the 2nd XI.
Acton biffed a brace of sixes in his fine cameo of 29, but, with the score on 143, Acton became the sixth wicket to fall.
Young Bobby Marsh scored three before he became the seventh wicket to fall with the score then 155 and it was soon 166-8 with the brave knock from Sam Franks ended by a stunning catch – with the opener out for 56.
James Mills perished next, caught for nine with the score on 175 and there would be no late heroics as Liam Reed fell for three, leaving Ross Lawson the not out batsman and Bradninch 2nds all out for 175, and left to contemplate the penultimate match day of the season and that ‘must-win’ game at home to Sidmouth III.
Defeat on Saturday, and it will be F Division East cricket for our 2nd XI in 2023.