There are scorecards which tap politely at the window, and then there are scorecards which arrive with a splendid clatter of bat, boot and pencil. This was very much the latter, as Binfield Cricket Club 2nd XI travelled to The Railway Ground and came away with a handsome 28-run victory over Sulhamstead & Ufton CC 2nd XI.
Invited to bat, Binfield built an innings of pleasing substance. Priyen Prakash gave it an elegant beginning with 51, before Wynand Lamprecht took the afternoon firmly by the collar and marched to a commanding 85 retired out. Around him the innings kept chiming along: Will Kings added 36, Dan Humphrey supplied a lively 56, and Mikey Allan-Canty chipped in with 17 before Grant Celliers and Chris Emes carried the total to a formidable 284 for 6 from the full 45 overs.
That left Sulhamstead needing 285, and Binfield could hardly have asked for a brighter first note. Ollie Cummings removed Phillip Walden without a run on the board, and from there the reply became a contest between Sulhamstead's resistance and Binfield's persistence. Jason Doole made 38 and George Ravenscroft 27, but Chris Emes was soon into his work, bowling both and then returning, again and again, like a bowler with a train to catch and a timetable to obey.
Emes finished with the outstanding figures of 6 for 52 from nine overs, the decisive spell of the match. James Howlin was miserly and valuable with 1 for 38 from nine overs, including three maidens, while Harry Hodson's 1 for 33 helped keep the target receding. Sulhamstead did not go quietly: Matthew Cammish played a fine unbeaten 51 and Josh Braithwaite struck 42, carrying the home side from danger towards the edge of possibility.
But the summit was just too steep. Sulhamstead closed on 256 for 9, still 28 runs adrift, and Binfield's earlier weight of runs proved decisive. A broad batting effort, a six-wicket burst from Emes, and enough calm in the closing overs: a most satisfying 2nd XI win, all neatly entered in the book.