North Enfield Cricket Club Friendly XI vs Enfield Friendly XI (H) - Sunday 28th July 2024

North Enfield Cricket Club’s Friendly XI thrashed local rivals Enfield on Sunday in a good spirited game to remain undefeated across the four Strayfield Road 70^th anniversary games!

A comprehensive team performance with the ball saw Enfield bowled out for 102, after earlier unbeaten half centuries from Chris Gillman and Freddie Pearson allowed the hosts to post 200 - 6.

North Enfield got off to a great start, with Gillman punishing any poor deliveries from the Enfield opening bowlers and Pearson adopting a more conservative role. They rapidly passed 50 - 0 and Gillman continued to attack the Enfield bowlers, reaching 50 and then retiring not out.

Despite the loss of Dan Gandy, Pearson and Garry Orton continued to accumulate for North Enfield, looking relatively untroubled as they guided the hosts to 92 - 1 at drinks.

Orton then fell for a well-made 27 and Pearson retired soon after, once he had reached a patient 50, somewhat stalling North Enfield’s momentum.

However, a few cameos down the order allowed the hosts to post 200 - 6 before declaring - a good score on a decent pitch and  fast outfield, but by no means unassailable.

Oliver Munt removed one of the openers in the first over, caught at cover by Garry Orton, but despite this early loss of a wicket, Enfield got off to a very positive start. North Enfield stalwart Andrew Pearson came in at three for the opposition and looked in fine touch, helping them reach 76 - 1, before he was trapped LBW by David Malleson.

The other Enfield opener was then stumped by Chris Gillman off Richard Sanders, sparking an Enfield collapse from 76 - 2 to 78 - 5, as Kieran Jones followed up with a double wicket maiden soon after. Another stumping by Gillman off Sanders saw Enfield fall into ever deeper trouble, with drinks taken with the score at 88 - 6.

Josh Jones and Thomas Munt then traded wickets, before Josh Jones struck the final blows via two bowled Jones caught Kieran Jones in three balls, wrapping up the Enfield innings for 102 and securing an impressive victory for North Enfield.

Meanwhile, North Enfield’s 1s fell to a 49 run defeat at Hatfield & Crusaders, despite three wickets for Pearson and 76* for Kieran Jones, whilst North Enfield’s 2s also fell to a 68 run defeat at home to Southgate Compton on Saturday.