The Twos had a short trip up the A369 to fellow strugglers Abbots Leigh. Much to our surprise when we arrived to see the home groundsmen still rolling the pitch. The wicket was damp with unused dormant covers looking on. Captain Tom Arnall lost the toss as skipper Parkhouse was still trying his charm on Minnie Mouse in Disney World.

The writing was already on the wall on what looked like a bowler-friendly pitch. Openers Wyatt and Arnall puffed their chests out and strode out to the middle with the mindset to bat long. First Ball Arnall, over the top, one bounce four. 3rd ball chipped up to cover Out!
Rimon soon followed, chopping on. Panic stations had set in, in the 2nd over. Wyatt and Dawe both batted patiently before Wyatt was cleaned up. The veteran Dice also blocked a fair few trying to stop the collapse, but was unsuccessful. The left-handed Hardwell came out next, but he looked more comfortable than the rest. When Dawe was given out LBW, the Lodway team were fearing the worst. Next out to bat was the impressive Hasan, along with Hardwell, who put on the biggest partnership of the match. Hardwell was finally out for a hard-working 14. Hasan and Antolic built another small partnership as the Sharks crawled their way slowly to a score. Hasan was out for 19, and Antolic 11, which gave the visitors hope with Fiske being the last wicket to fall. 90 all out.

After Tea and a stern Team Talk from skipper Arnall, the destiny was in the hands of the bowlers. Hasan opened down the hill and bowled with everything he had to great effect. Rimon was first to strike in the 2nd over with his 1st ball. Hasan followed up with 3 quick wickets, bowling the home side's two most dangerous players. Rimon also got another in quick succession (Rimon 2-22 & Hasan 3-16). Abbots Leigh were five down in no time at all, with the Lodway players feeling slightly better about their batting performance. The situation got even better for Lodway when Arnall introduced Jolil up the hill. Jolil ended any chance the home side may have had, ragging the ball square with his first 3 victims clean bowled and the fourth LBW, cleaning up what remained of the home side's middle order. He finished up with (4-14) off seven. However, Abbots Leigh had a final partnership which was beginning to make the game close. Skipper Arnall cleaned up the number 11 to bowl his side home for a victory on the road.

Let’s hope this is the kickstart the twos needed next up, Bishopston in the cup, before entertaining Bath 4’s at home next Saturday.