Marlow 2nd's played a friendly against Princes Risborough on Saturday. Risborough won the toss and decided to bat on a surprisingly dry but slow track. The opening attack of Coker and Aslam took a little time to find their range with byes being the main scorer in the first 30 runs, as Keith was tested either side of the wicket. However, the first breakthrough wasn't far away as Coker slipped in an inswinger yorker to bowl G Linger. Indeed D Linger, the other opener played on to Coker, only to see the bails stay on. With the bowlers starting to settle, Risborough were lucky to survive until the score reach 70 without further loss. Piggot holed out to Manu at cover, as he tried to break away from the tight bowling of Ossie. After 25 overs with the score on 90 and Mohi settling into a good line, Risborough were struggling to score. However, with a back injury to Mohi and some of the younger lads being brought on (Marlow aimed to of give everyone some match practice), Risborough were given opportunities to score. Young Ollie at just 11 years old, took his first senior wicket with his 3rd ball in adult cricket, clean bowling Evans middle stump. Risbrough waited on D Linger to complete his ton, but Skipper Saunders bought himself on and knocked over the opener middle stump with his 5th ball to end proceedings at 209-4 in 42 overs.

 

After tea, Manu Sidhu and Richard Trotter opened. Pinned down by some tight bowling from 1st team opener Hitchcock, Richard eventually knicked a short delivery looking to score off the other opener. Manu and Ossie tried unsuccessfully to break the shackles of Hitchcock and both survived chances. Risborough were a little guilty of letting the game drift at this point and didn't show to much interest in keeping the contest open as the 20 overs loomed. Indeed the introduction of the off spinner Greaves only made things worse, as the batsman found it difficult to time the ball on the slowing track. Eventually Ossie holed out with the score on 60 and bought Keith to the crease. With Marlow needing 150 in the last 20 overs, the batsman settled for time at the crease. Keith and Manu slowly getting back into touch. The introduction of Daly and Griffin bought about a brief spurt in the scoring as both batsman took advantage of the wayward bowling, Sidhu hitting 4 consecutive 4's in one Griffin over. Keith eventually holed out for a fluent 45, with the score on 150. With 4 overs left Shazad came out and hit 20 in 15 balls to show what might of been. Marlow fininshed on 181-3, with Sidhu batting through for a tidy 68*.

 

Though the hosts maybe could of been as generous as Marlow with the bowling changes, meaning the result wasn't really on, everyone enjoyed the game. Marlow can be pleased that all the bowlers got some overs under their belts and most of the batters spent time at the crease.