Raine dominates for Seconds
Tue 13 Sep 2016
REPORT | By Pete Johnson
Crowey’s Crusaders rolled into downtown Desborough for a three-day SEF v Derbyshire, at the home of Desborough Town CC. This being the fourth time this season that the Second XI have had a three-day fixture at this Northamptonshire Nevada.
County had the upper hand of the first days play with Ben Raine hammering a superlative 140, he was ably supported by the middle order and lower middle order, especially by Sam Evans who weighed in with 60.
Raine shared in three half-century partnerships with Evans, Zak Chappell and Harry Swindells. County declared their innings on 381-8, Derbyshire had 12 overs to negotiate before the close, but ‘man of the day’ Raine had his say again. The Mighty Mackem picking up 2-11 from 4 overs, Derbyshire closing on 51-2.
A cool and fresh Autumn morning greeted the players when they took the field. Lewis Hill was skippering County, his opposite number Greg Cork called incorrectly, and County elected to bat.
Aadil Ali and Hill opened up for County with Ben Cotton and Cork opening the attack for Derbyshire. Cotton picking the Farm End, and Cork popping in from the Field End. Ali and Hill looked untroubled early on with Ali taking two boundaries off Cotton, and Hill doing likewise off Cork.
In the same over as he took two boundaries from Cork, Hill (13) edged a delivery to keeper Sam Hunt, and was on his way for a ‘Bakers Dozen’. Without further addition to the score Tom Wells (0) was caught in the slip cordon by Rob Hemmings, again off Cork. County 27-2 off 10 overs.
Sam Evans joined Ali, and the pair had taken the score along to 77 when Ali (25) was caught in the gully by Josh Clarke off seamer Rob Peat. Evans was building a delightful innings, a number of cover drives to the ropes were of high quality.
Evans (45*) and Raine (35*) took County into lunch on 119-3 from 34 overs. Raine’s 35* coming from just 35 balls. Just prior to lunch Raine blasted two maximums and two boundaries in the space of six balls.
In the first over after lunch the pair brought up their 50 partnership, from 70 balls, thanks to a leg bye. After lunch for a brief period Raine was very introvert, displaying more leaves than a eucalyptus tree.
Evans meanwhile took three perfectly timed boundaries off Cotton. Evans went to his 50 (6x4) from 93 balls, a first-class effort from ‘The Postie’. Just after lunch a number of spectators had ‘dribbled’ into the ground, no doubt bringing back memories of yesteryear to the onlooking Robin ‘Stanley’ Matthews.
Raine brought up his half century (7x4/2x6) from 72 balls with the score on 154-4 from 46.4 overs. Evans and Raine had added 75 when Evans (60) was pinned lbw by Cork.
Chappell joined Raine and the pair accelerated the score along adding 50 from 67 balls. Chappell taking a liking to seamers Hemmings and Peat, whilst Raine was brutal against off spinner Ben Slawinski, whilst being equally dismissive to seamer Dan Gibbs.
Chappell (29) went caught in the area of mid on by Josh Clarke taking a catch above his head off the bowling of Slawinski. Raine brought up his century (11x4/2x6) from 129 balls with the score on 253-5 from 67.2 overs.
He had been joined by Harry Swindells, and the Academy prospect was playing a fine supportive innings. The pair achieved the third 50 partnership of the innings, their alliance from 67 balls. County went into Tea on 279-5 from 72 overs.
At this juncture I decided to move my car as the Sunderland Supremo had developed an ‘eye’ for the car park area of the ground, and was responsible for the ball flying into that area like a missile on numerous occasions. In the first over after Tea Raine launched Slawinski for a further 2 maximums, but I could breath easier now!
Swindells (30) was caught just behind square by Cork off Slawinski leaving the score on 303-6. A good competitive knock from Swindells. Six runs later Raine’s innings came to an end. He launched spinner Josh Clarke towards the mid-wicket boundary, but Chris Whittock right back on the rope took the catch above his head.
A great knock from Raine making 140 from 153 balls (15x4/6x6). Interestingly (or there again not), Raine, the seventh wicket to fall, was the first batsman to be dismissed from The Farm End. Altogether now what a good spot from your esteemed correspondent.
George Dockrell was joined by James Sykes, and after a further 3.5 overs Derbyshire took the new ball. The pair had added 43, when Sykes (9) unluckily played on to Cork. Sykes’ innings did however include one sublime maximum that he effortlessly clipped off his legs over square off paceman Cotton.
Dockrell, who had made 75 in his previous knock for County Second XI at Taunton Vale, was joined by Ollie Freckingham, and the pair added a further 29 runs before County declared their innings on 381-8. Dockrell 37* from 53 balls, and Freckingham 28* from 23 balls. Freckingham taking three boundaries off Cotton, and a maximum, and a boundary in the same over off Cork. Dockrell notched up seven boundaries in his knock.
Derbyshire had 12 overs to negotiate before stumps, but that man Raine was at it again. In his second over he had Clarke (4) caught behind by Hill. Then, in his fourth over, Raine had Sam Kershaw lbw offering no shot. I was hoping Kershaw might (Nik) one behind but it was not to be.
After County had bowled 10 overs of the remaining 12, the spinner were brought on as the light was failing. Derbyshire closed on 51-2, trailing by 330 runs. Our old friend Whittock 23* and Slawinski 6*.
