The Second XI travelled over to the picturesque home of Bentworth, complete with thatched roof and quaint traditional detailing, aiming to reverse a recent poor run of form despite getting into promising positions in a number of matches. The overly keen visitors were left stranded on a country lane having arrived earlier than any of the opposition, but once the convoy was released to enter the ground, preparations got underway on a clear-skied afternoon. Petersfield were keen to bat first, on what looked a dry pitch that had the potential to resemble a traditional dessert later in the day, especially with a player likely missing for the first hour – thankfully, captain Tom Horwood called “Heads” correctly and chose to set a total. (Tosswatch: that’s five wins from eight tosses so far this season).

On to the action – Petersfield mixed up the top order a little, with Tom Horwood (43) and Cass Marks (1) making their way to the middle. Horwood off to a bit of flyer, taking both Ken Thomas (2-32) and Timothy Gay (2-23) for early boundaries. Regrettably, Marks (who had already ridden his luck, being aided by the sun blinding a fielder) was easily caught off the bowling of Gay, attempting to hit through the covers on the up despite early signs of the pitch being not the easiest to play clean strokes on. That brought Steve Gibson (0) to the crease, but his innings was ended early (along with his Duck Competition hopes) as he attempted to pull a Gay short ball, only to plink it the waiting opposition Captain, Dave Mitten. Alex Bartlett (1), making his first Second XI appearance of the season, following shortly after, pushing at a ball that seamed away from him and caught his outside edge to provide Thomas with his first wicket of the day. James Longland (9), despite a couple of quick boundaries, followed soon after, caught off Thomas whilst attempting to hit a long ball but falling victim to the crumbliness of the pitch. Sadly not the pitch for that shot… With Petersfield reeling at 49-4, it was down to Horwood and the returning Ben Smith (60) to attempt a rebuild. The pair went about their work steadfastly, punishing the odd bad ball that came their way with Smith hitting a couple of lusty sixes – all looked well until Horwood was adjudged LBW (despite a sizable bottom edge!) off Cosmo Hill (1-41), and then Nicholas Gay (3-21) ran through the Kelly family, removing Ned Kelly (9) and Derek Kelly (0) in the same over. With the score at now 107-7, the situation looked dire – thankfully, Petersfield had the “league’s best Number 9” in Nathan Barlow (18) in the locker, who was able to not only support Smith, but land a couple of lusty blow of his own, before eventually being bowled to become Gay’s third victim. Anya Holtshausen (1*) defended resolutely to keep Smith company for him to bring up a well-deserved half-century, before Smith was eventually being bowled by Xander Hartley (2-11). Hartley has his second very soon after, as Olly Heapy (0) (despite Holtshausen’s suggestions to the contrary) whooshed at his first, second and third deliveries, with the third resulting in bails falling being dislodged to end the Petersfield innings. Petersfield all out for 157 in 31.5 overs.

So, Petersfield a tad disappointed with a total that, whilst about par for the pitch, felt a touch light on the lightning-fast outfield… But, the visitors were treated to a splendid spread during the interval – Bentworth apparently kindred spirits, believing in the sanctity of the institution that is the Cricket Tea – as they plotted their defense of their first innings total.

Steve Gibson (3-38) and Nathan Barlow (1-37) opened the bowling for Petersfield, aiming to get an early dent in the host’s top order, with Jack Boorman (35) and David Hicks (1) facing up to them. Gibson had the early breakthrough, with Hicks attempting to hit over the top but only finding Tom Horwood at mid-off, who made no mistake with the firmly hit opportunity. Gibson was straight back into the action, removing Timothy Gay (0) first ball, as the number three managed to guide a gentle drive straight to the waiting Anya Holtshausen at point. It wasn’t to be three in three for Gibson, however, as the big hitting Matt Mitchell (37) navigated the hattrick hazard. Mitchell immediately looked to attack, tantalisingly striking over the head of mid-off (if only the captain had put a taller fielder there…) on two occasions, and then tucked into the first Tom Horwood (5-43) over, who had brought himself into the attack early to replace Barlow, taking it for twenty-four runs including two sizable sixes. Boorman and Mitchell took the score to 76-2, before Horwood (fresh from a solid talking to himself) stuck with the first ball of his second over to turn one through Boorman’s defences. Nicholas Gay (11) also looked to attack early, but was excellently caught at slip by Ned Kelly, leaping one handed and delighting Gibson to give him his third wicket of the day. Horwood then had his revenge on Michell, having him caught at mid-wicket, before then firing a quicker one at Mike Ryan who was trapped plumb in front first ball. A second hattrick ball of the innings, but Cosmo Hill (11) survived that with relative ease. With Alex Bartlett (1-21) now operating at the other end, Horwood did eventually remove Hill, turning one through the gate to bowl him during his sixth over. That flurry of activity had brought the score to 108-7, with Petersfield right back in the hunt – three wickets to find with 50 runs needed to win… Horwood wasn’t quite done yet, completing a first FiveFer in for a Second XI bowler this season, off the last ball of his spell – trapping Xander Lane (4) in front that, after an almighty appeal from all around the bat, was given to the delight of the fielding of team.

With 34 runs required and two wickets to find, it was a case of whether the host’s captain, Dave Mitten (31) could marshal the tail to get the required runs… Horwood now bowled out, Barlow was brought back into the attack to accompany Bartlett. For a while, Bentworth had things under control – surviving the good balls and putting away the odd bad one with the score reaching 147-8 with just ten required… Barlow however made the critical breakthrough, bowling Tom Davies (6), handing over to Bartlett to have the opportunity to be the hero… Which he duly did, cleaning up Mitten with a well-executed yorker on off-stump to spark jubilant scenes for the visitors. Bentworth all out for 147 on 28.3 overs, with Petersfield winning by 10 runs.

So, a win on the road for the Second XI, with an excellent bowling performance to mitigate the damage of a few loose shots that made the total seem very achievable for their hosts – the team showed character to drive home, able to proudly have a pint in the nearby watering hole to celebrate…

The Second XI will return to the familiar surroundings of the Heath next week, looking to build on this success with the visit of Waterlooville. Third time lucky against the opposition hopefully, after the rained off debacle at the end of last season, followed by an alternate venue being required after a burst water main attempted to repeat the feat in the second weekend of this season… Stay tuned for next week’s edition to see if the uptick in form can continue…