The 2s entertained Kempton for the first time this season on a super day at Pixham Lane. Winning the toss we decided to switch tactics and take to the field. Max did his usual thing and made early inroads as Singh edged to Willy Edwards behind and then the visiting skipper edged to ‘SuperCox’ who took a great slip catch. Dhillon and former DCC player Burt Malcolm went about providing some resistance but with Henry Glynn and Quinny into the attack the latter was going nowhere. Dhillon played some lusty blows but was always going to give us a chance and that he did off the bowling Glynn as Max took a good catch. Glynn followed up with second from a super spell of 8-1-30-2 as he undid Burt with a cracking yorker. The middle order of Kempton (including another former player in Richard Warne) were only intent on playing one way and this only benefitted the spin duo of Quinny and Jack Homewood (who replaced Glynn at the allotment end). Quinn dismissed the number 5 as DY took the first of two good catches and Jack accounted for Page as Will took a sharp catch. Warne played some breezy strokes but was undone by Quinn caught behind. Quinn then captured is third of fourth wickets (for 48 off 14) as Osborn and Patel failed to trouble the scorer. With the visitors 9 down it was left to Jack to remove Axten who made a quick-fire 17. 157 our winning target.

With a decent pitch in play, rapid outfield and a strong lineup we were confident of chasing down the target. We were soon coasting as Matt and Coxy found their signature shots in full flow, in particular Coxy’s cut had all sorts of groans and gasps from the pavvy. Coxy was racing away and we were only dealing in boundaries as the opening pair eased the pressure. The stand was 68 before Matt was bamboozled by Page. This brought Ben O to the middle who after having a few watchful overs preceded to plunder the Kempton attack to all parts. Coxy passed 50 which was sumptuous to watch with Ben following not longer after. Coxy hit the winning runs as he made 63 from 60 with eleven fours and Ben finished with 54 from 31 with six fours and three sixes.

A thoroughly impressive and dominant 9 wicket victory to keep us top of the pile with a historically difficult fixture at Camberley to come this weekend.