2XI TEAM

2XI TEAM NEWS
END OF SEASON REPORT 2022
Terry Lord- TEAM MANAGER

Following our promotion to the first division and losing the full-time services of 7 senior players, 2023 was always going to be a difficult season. Our objective at the start was to remain in the division and after winning both our opening games against fellow regulation candidates, we were confident we could achieve this.

As the season panned out it was a struggle and we fielded no less than 35 different players throughout. Similar to last season, it all came down to a last game shootout where we needed to win at Enfield hoping Norden would do us favour beating Walsden for us to avoid the drop. We finished early with 12 points just getting over the line chasing a small target and then we had a tense afternoon cheering on Norden. We did it by the smallest of margins, 3 points!! Played 22 - won 6 lost 15 with remarkably only 1 game lost to the weather.

A tough season but lots of positives; Captain Luke Bradford led the side extremely well again.  Young U15 guns Pat Boardman and Theo Goddard played major roles with Pat getting a 5 for 24. Dominic Boardman’s return to consistent form deservedly earned him the batting prize, though scoring runs consistently was an issue for the team with Luke Bradford, the only other person scoring more than 250 runs.  Luke Donovan picked up the bowling prize with an excellent 21 wickets in only 10 games played, his season shared with the first eleven. The 4 Boardman brothers played numerous times together which must be some sort of record, Niall and Brady picking up 20 wickets between them. Good to see Josh Holt back in the fold, another one whose time was shared with the firsts, and was one of 3 half centurions along with Dom Boardman and Matt Thompson.

Thanks to stalwarts John Syers, fielding prize winner, and Michael Rabbett for their availability week in week out, Michael also captaining the 3rds so had a huge workload. The player of the season was undoubtedly Alex Shepherd who was Mr Reliable and did a great job with the ball.

A special thanks to Luke Bradford who is now stepping down as Captain to focus more on his personal ambitions, 2 great seasons in different circumstances.

Thanks to our scorers Laurie and Philip along with Joanne, another Boardman, for looking after the dressing rooms. A big thanks to Lynn and Deborah for the teas, you will be sadly missed along with Colin who is retiring from Groundsman duties.

Finally, thanks to Scott Thompson for taking on the role of captaincy in 2023. Scott has been a good servant to the club for several years and well respected by all, we wish him every success in the coming season.

Report by

Terry Lord

2nd Team Manager