Twickenham II                        160 all out                   (Eddie Paxton 75)

Wembley II                             161 -4

Twickenham’s second string started their 2010 league campaign with a disappointing defeat on the Green against Wembley.  Eddie Paxton’s impressive 75no was the only highlight in a patchy batting performance, and bright spells of new ball bowling from Pete Burke and Mark Smith weren’t enough to prevent the visitors from cruising to victory with more than 10 overs to spare.

Damp and dreary conditions in south-west London caused nothing more than a ten minute delay to the much awaited 2010 league season.  Wembley skipper John Dale won the toss and had little hesitation in inserting the Ts.  All appeared to be going pretty well for Dan Hough’s men as Tom Guy and Eddie Paxton initially made solid progress.  Both worked the ball around nicely as the score moved in to the 30s.  However, Wembley’s impressive opening bowler David Pocock soon began to wreak havoc, ripping the heart out of the Ts top order as six wickets fell in quick succession.  35-0 had become 60-6 and a major re-building job was needed.  Opener Eddie Paxton weathered the storm admirably, and together with number 8 Paul Johnson began the salvage operation.  Johnson’s 16 did stabilise things somewhat, but once he’d gone Twickenham’s innings again spluttered, and the home side were eventually all out in the 51^st over for 160 – Paxton standing imperious, unmoved and undefeated on 75.

The Wembley innings began slowly, and the Ts were hopeful that the game had some life in it yet.  Both Mark Smith and Pete Burke gave little away, and with Wembley struggling a little at 9-1 off 7 there was still all to play for.  But, slowly but surely, Wembley began to make progress, and it wasn’t long before the visitors were manoeuvring themselves in to a position of strength. Paul Johnson nagged away from the Staines Road End, eventually picking up one of the openers leg before, whilst Chris Marshall removed the number four caught and bowled.  Stu Amos illustrated that not only can he prepare a cracking tea, but he can also take wickets – the fourth Wembley batter to depart doing to thanks to a spectacular catch by Mark Smith at slip.  These isolated successes were none the less oases in a barren desert, as Wembley cruised past 100 and on towards the total.  Skipper Dan Hough chopped and changed his bowling around, but ultimately to no avail as Wembley cruised home with overs and wickets to spare.

In truth, not much went right for the Ts’ second string.  Flaky batting and unpenetrative bowling enabled Wembley to come out very much on top, and things really can only get better.  Fingers crossed that this was a wake up call and that Twickenham can bounce back next week when they travel to Harrow St Mary’s.