After moving to Division 4 East in the SYCL from the Pontefract League the 2nd XI were looking at trying to consolidate their position in the league, and if things went their way, looking at promotion. Things ended much better than they started only winning 1 from their first 8 games but the second half of the season proved more fruitful winning 7 from their last 12 with 2 called off. It has showed the league that Wombwell Main 2nd XI is ready to challenge for the top in 2016.

Game 1 – Wentworth (A) Wombwell won the toss and elected to field, Wentworth made 203. Not a great day in the field with more than a few dropped catches. Spruce the pick of the bowlers 3/50. Wombwell showed a spirited comeback from 80/5 to make 164/7 Skipper Bondy making his second ever 50 ended up 50 not out. 1 Point

Game 2 – Maltby (H) after losing the toss and being inserted to bat Wombwell made 183/7 from their 46 overs, Bramski beat smashing his way to 68 not out. On a freezing day and with the weather closing in Maltby took their time between overs and played the rain card which duly came after 36 overs with the score at 102/5. Skipper lost his head and threatened to smash crazys teeth out. 2 Points.

Game 3 – Mexborough (A) The only team to completely outplay Wombwell’s 2nd XI this season. Wombwell batted first and made 112 all out. Mexborough knocked the runs off without losing a wicket and in only 17.5 overs. 0 Points

Game 4 – Dearne (H) Dearne batted first and scored 159/9. A new opening bowling partnership of Bramski and Jonners bagged the first 3 wickets but it was DG who recorded the best bowling figures of 3/23 from his 13 overs. In a nail biting game Wombwell lost in the last over falling 4 runs short of victory with 2 wickets in hand. Jonners and Homo scoring 42* and 44 respectively. 2 Points

Game 5 – Eden Grove Parklands (H) EGP batted first and reached 190/8 from their 46 overs. Wombwell used 8 different bowlers on the day and it was Turk who came away with the best figures of 3/38 from his 7 overs. Wombwell knocked the runs off with relative ease RB racking up 95 from only 79 balls until run out by home, who had scored 52 from 123 balls. Jonners and Bondy saw the 2s home with 3 overs and 7 wickets to spare to record their first win of the season. 5 Points

Game 6 – Adwick-Le-Street (A) ALS stuck Wombwell into bat and with only 3 players reaching double figures Crazy 33, DG 37 and Turk 35 Wombwell reached 140/8 on a difficult wicket. Again it went down to a last over nail biter which this time Wombwell 2nd XI lost. ALS knocked the runs off with 5 balls to spare. Crazy and DG both picking up 3 wickets each. The talk of the team was the skippers finger who was rushed to A&E and needed gas and air to keep him stable. 0 Points

Game 7 – Sprotborough (H) DG carried his bat from No3 to record 75 not out and helped Wombwell get to 175/7 from their 46 overs. A brilliant 111 not out from Sprotborough’s No3 Thomas Langley ensured they came away with the win, seeing them home with 13 overs and 5 wickets in hand. Mr Muscle finishing with 3/30 from his 9 overs. 0 Points

Game 8 – Houghton Main (A) Some controversy before the game stated with Houghton selecting 2 1st XI team players (due to Houghton 1st XI being called off) which one went on to make a telling contribution of 83 from their 150 all out. DG taking 6/31 from 7 overs. A highly charged game ended with Wombwell being bowled out for 116 only Crazy making any score of note with 29. 0 Points

Game 9 – Warmsworth (H) Wombwell recorded only their second win of the season with a hard fought victory against Warmsworth. Wombwell bowled first and skittled Warmsworth out for 80 with extra being the joint highest scorer (13). DG again the pick of the bowlers 4/20 from 8 overs. Wombwell made hard work of the run chase and eventually got home with 2 wickets in hand. Matty Tonks top scored with 29. 7 Points

Game 10 – Whiston Forge (A) after 42.4 overs Wombwell bowled WF out for 135 and once again DG recorded excellent figures of 5/30 from his 13 overs. Wombwell somehow lost this game being at 86/3 and getting bowled out for 103. A poor second half display and a few words spoken in the dressing room. 0 Points

At the half way stage in the season Wombwell were 3rd bottom with 17 points and looking over their shoulder at the potential of relegation.

Game 11 – Wentworth (H) Wombwell won the toss and chose to bowl first which proved the right call with Wentworth being bowled out for 128 in 42 overs. Bramski & Crazy set the tone with only 40 runs coming from their 21 overs including 2 wickets. DG and Freddie took the other 8 wickets. DG finishing with 5/22. In reply Wombwell used 43 overs to knock off the runs the top 3 managing 85 runs between them with DG carrying his bat with 44 not out. 7 points

Game 12 – Maltby (A) back to back wins for Wombwell 2nd XI for the first time in the season. Wombwell were inserted on a very green wicket and ended up on 171 all out. Rich Batty the main contributor 62 which included 10 boundaries. Wombwell made reasonably light work of the bowling task and dismissed Maltby for 85 to avoid the repeat of the reserve. Bramski ended up with figures of 5/41 from his 13 overs and well supported by Crazy 2/22 and Corey 2/7. 7 points

Game 13 – Mexborough (H) Wombwell made it a hatrick of wins beating Mexborough in another nail biter. Wombwell batted first and made 120 all out. Homo the stand out carrying his bat throughout the 42 overs and ended up on 49 not out. In reply Mexborough were bowled out for 115. Bramski, Matty Tonks and Corey all taking 3 wickets each to inflict Mexborough’s first defeat of the season. 7 Points

Game 14 – Dearne (A) Wombwell batted first and scored 164/6 from 46 overs. Homo and Rigger opened and had an opening stand of 79 until Ant fell for 38. Rigger fell for 55. That was the end of the match, as tea came so did the rain and the players never got back on the field. 2 points

Game 15 – Eden Grove Parklands (H) Wombwell batted first and amassed their highest score of the season 231/8. Runs for most of the top order but it was Skipper Bondy highest score of 41 from 36 balls. In an innings which swung both ways throughout it was Wombwell that ended up victors but not managing to bowl EGP out. 190/9 and it was Mr Muscle that came away with the best figures of 4/20 from 7 overs. 5 Points

Game 16 – Adwick-Le-Street (H) Wombwell won the toss and elected to bat first and finished with a score of 155 all out from 39.2 overs giving ALS 6 overs. DG carrying his bat again ended up 62 not out. Another close encounter finished with ALS knocking off the runs with 5 overs and 5 wickets to spare. 0 Points and ending Wombwell’s 4 game winning streak and their outside chance of promotion.

Game 17 – Sprotborough (A) This time the weather saved Wombwell. After batting first Wombwell only made 107 after DG top edged one into his face and was required to go to A&E. During Sprotborough’s reply the weather interrupted several times the umpires called it at off 19:50 due to bad light with Sprotborough in the driving seat and looking set for 7 points at 92/3. 2 Points

Game 18 – Houghton Main (H) revenge was sweet for Wombwell as they bowled Houghton out for 103 in 36.4 overs. DG finishing with 4/17 from his 9 overs, he was well supported by Crazy and Turk whop ended up with figures of 2/13 & 2/35 respectively. It was slow going for Wombwell who used the extra overs given to them by Houghton to knock off the runs in 47.5 overs. Crazy, Ant and Rigger all scoring 20+ runs. 7 Points and ending Houghton’s chance of promotion.

Game 19 – Warmsworth (A) a very much end of season nothing to play for feel about the game, Wombwell bowled out for 125. Jonners finishing with 42 after smashing 4 boundaries in 4 balls. Warmsworth knocked the runs off with ease only losing 1 wicket in the process and only take 30 overs to do so. 0 Points

Game 20 – Whiston Forge (H) Wombwell hosted another game as Whiston couldn’t play at their ground. Bondy won the toss and opted the bowl first on a damp wicket. Wombwell stuck to their task well and bowled Whiston out for 94 after a great opening partnership from Crazy and Turk who managed 3/43 form their 24 overs. DG mopped up the tail recording figures of 4/17 from his 9 overs. Wombwell didn’t take too long (26 overs) to knock off the runs although they were in a bit of trouble at 19-2 but a 50 from 53 balls from Matt Tonks and 22 not out from Wallace saw the Mainers home with 6 wickets in hand. 7 Points

End of season review
After a slow start the team recovered in the second half of the season to finish with the second best points total from the second half of the season. If the team can show the same spirit and togetherness then there should be no reason why they cannot challenge for promotion next season.

Finally, it has been announced that Craig Bond has stepped down from being 2nd XI captain. Craig has done an absolutely outstanding job during the past several years and turned the 2nd XI fortunes around winning 3 league titles getting them into the highest position they have ever been and also reaching a couple of cup semi-finals. Whoever takes up the job will have huge boots to fill and they should be under no illusion that it’s going to be massive job to continue the upward curve of the 2nd XI is currently on.

I’ve been Suzi, Hope you’ve enjoyed reading, see you next year! UTM