2nd XI - 2005

2005 Season Review

Relegation was a cruel blow for the OPs this season, but not a surprising one given poor availabilities in the First and Second XIs. Another 40 players used, of whom an incredible 28 bowled! Of last years top six only Alex Millward played anything like regularly, with players lost to fatherhood and the First XI. Millward scored 3 fifties but was rarely supported. Skelton scored useful early season runs but the batting was a problem all season. Partridge's magnificent 117 against Ashtead showed how much we missed him, while there were good knocks from Baldock, Lee, Cato, Dickson and Grant at various times. Failure to chase 150 four times tells its own story and is the main reason for our relegation.
 
With the ball however and in the field we were often superb, and looked nothing like relegation candidates. Stu Read, before he was snapped up by the Ones, Christian Edrich, Paul Mann, Nav Kokri and Al Dalrymple all performed very well. The star however was Dave Methuen who added a yard of pace to his left arm orthodox to great effect. Many bowlers only played 2 or 3 games (not ideal for rhythm).
 
Highlights were a chase of 230 against eventual champions Sinjuns, and a thumping 10 wicket win over Streatham and Malborough. Low points were many, most obviously our failure to chase low totals and back up our efforts in the field.
 
Dropped catches were a contributory factor in our demise but the feeling remains that this was 'one of those seasons' and that Old Paulines will be a team to watch in Div 5. Bouncebackability will be our word of 2006! [JG]