Brook 2nd XI remain unbeaten in 2020 after defeating a valiant 10 man Peper Harow II (PH) side by 36 runs.

With yet another winning toss, Brook Captain Jim Macaulay decided to bat in the scorching summer heat. Despite losing early wickets Jim built solid partnerships with Amir Ullah and Jasper Hudson before falling to the spinner Bradley for a fast paced 66. Other significant contributions came from Jasper for a very mature 38, and Adnan Khan for a typically rapid 36. Peper Harow stuck to their task admirably in the heat and with a man missing to restrict Brook to 204.

A target of 205 from 40 overs was very achievable. The hard hitting PH openers set off at breakneck speed with Daniel Saunders (77) and Matthew Overton (38) treating Neil Cooper particularly harshly. After a barrage of sixes and fours the score was 86 without loss and with only 12 overs gone PH were clear favourites to win. It took persistently accurate and patient bowling from Isfaq Ali (2-26), Matt Bisset (2-18) and from Shakib’s probing mystery spin (0-26) to break this dangerous partnership and make further inroads. However, at 151-2 at the 30 over mark it was still PH’s game to lose but fortunately for Brook this kickstarted the Robin Hudson Show! Having already pouched two excellent catches Robin brushed off his bowling rust by demolishing the PH middle and lower order with a devastating spell of 6 overs, 2 maidens, 4 wickets for only 5 runs. He then rounded off a remarkable Brook turnaround by running out their last man. PH had lost 7 wickets for only 17 runs to be 168 all out. Overall an excellent fielding performance and proof positive that a contest is never lost when you can keep fighting hard against the odds.

Brook take their winning streak to Tilford next week.

Report by Jim Macaulay