Esher 2nd XI – Introduction
Competitive Premier League team balancing the development of our top academy boys into league cricket, with competitive league cricket for those players on the peripheries of the first team squad. Fantastic standard of cricket at Premier League grounds, and strong social identity.
In 2024, the 2nd XI will be captained by Ali Birkby (alibirkby@hotmail.co.uk 07703 724299)
2nd XI – Season Report – 2023 (Dan Taylor)
It’s very hard to sum up a season like this. At the start the aims of the team were to challenge for the title and be a tough side to play against. Then at the halfway stage things were looking bleak with us languishing at the bottom of the league and survival seeming like a formidable challenge. However, a run of good games and a couple of fortunate results meant that survival was achieved and the Esher 2nd XI will stay in the Premier division next year. With the goals set out at the start almost forgotten it was a joyous group after the final game when our safety was ensured. Reflecting now it is clear to see where improvements can be made and yet each of the 39 players who played have contributed to one of the most memorable seasons in recent years.
A rained off game in week 1 against Reigate before an away trip to Dulwich is never the nicest way to start a season. Sadly, a rather crushing defeat there was not ideal despite N Winder taking 4-47 and Taylor with 2-46 trying their best. Only Hopkinson (43) got going in reply and we were bowled out for 136, 80 runs short. The chance to right the wrong at home to Spencer a week later came but sadly 159 was never going to be enough although Stroud scoring a wonderful 51 was pleasing to watch. Spencer chased this easily although Hamilton impressed with 2-25. A trip to Guildford with a fired up squad beckoned, and the old adage rang true, catches win matches. Sadly, putting down 7 chances did not aid our cause and we let them smash their way to 419-4 from 50 overs with only Mills showing skill with the ball. In response Roberts 53, Malik 50, Birkby 50 and Mills 69 showed great fight but sadly it was not enough and we ended being bowled out for 309. A disappointing start and an uphill climb to come.
Knowing that we needed to kick start our season the excitement was palpable at home to Malden Wanderers and a brilliant bowling display reduced them to 191 all out. De la Fuente as economical as ever with 3-30 ably supported by Birkby 2-53 and Fletcher 3-42 were the pick of the pack. In response the chase never looked in doubt as Stroud crashed a classy 54 and Price steered the ship with calm beyond his years finishing 50* alongside Macpherson 31* to see it home. Hoping to continue this form we went away to Sunbury. Putting in a good bowling performance to restrict them to 195 all out with De La Fuente 3-24, Brown 2-24 and Wallis 2-45 leading the line gave us hope of another good chase. Sadly, this was not to be and we ended 80 runs short with only Roberts 41 showing class with the bat. Ashtead came the following week and batting first we scored 252-9 dec with Birkby 63 and Macpherson 55 scoring freely. It meant a good bowling performance was needed to win. Agonisingly they managed to chase this down with only 1 wicket in hand despite Brown 4-69 doing his best. An away trip to East Molesey gave us another chance to get back to winning ways. Batting first and Hopkinson anchoring the innings with a brilliant 70, supported by Birkby 39 and Wallis 31* led us to 225-8. Time for a good bowling performance. Unfortunately, only Birkby made a lasting impression with 3-59 to counter their stroke play and another defeat. Halfway through and bottom of the league with a mountain ahead of us. Nothing too much for the mighty Esher however.
Top of the league met bottom as we welcomed Wimbledon and sadly, they were too strong. Batting first they scored 235-7 dec with Collins 4-48 and De La Fuente 2-49 the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Roberts again batted well for his 67 with Price showing good touch to score 31 but sadly the rest of us let them down as we fell cheaply for 168. With backs against the wall, we knew even one more loss could send us down. A rain affected game next against fellow relegation battlers was not ideal and we were left with 28 overs to chase 167 after De La Fuente 3-50 and Holliday 1-18 from 8 had bowled well. Hopkinson and Hunt started the chase well with 23 and 33 respectively before a few cheap wickets fell creating the real possibility of losing before the ever-calm McCallum 29* and Wallis 16 batted sensibly to ensure a winning draw at 138-8 at the close of play. Next came Dulwich and despite Brown dismantling their top order with 5-49 we let them reach 220-8. A good chase was required. Hopkinson with 56 gave us a great chance and Birkby 64 carried that forward with time running out to chase the total and McCallum poised to strike we were left with 6 to win from the final ball. Sadly, it was not to be as McCallum was caught on the boundary for 40. But another winning draw and momentum was building.
The following week rain was again the winner sadly and points were shared away at Spencer. Guildford came next and choosing to field after they bashed 400 against us earlier in the season was a risk. Restricting them to 160-9 after 55 looked good with Brown with 4-45 De LA Fuente 2-24 and Collins 2-35 bowling with skill and control to ensure this gamble would pay off. Then it was the batters turn to do their job and at 42-3 a few nerves began to creep in. No need for that however when McCallum is at the crease. He played brilliantly for his 79* alongside Price with 34* to ensure the win was successfully secured. Fellow relegation strugglers Malden Wanderers came next but unfortunately again the rain was the winner and points were shared. No losses in 5 weeks meant we were full of confidence going into the Sunbury game. With them winning the toss and choosing to bat we wanted to come out firing and we were witness to some top quality new ball bowling from Brown 4-30 supported by Wallis 3-38. Unfortunately, we couldn’t close them out and let them slip to 242 all out. No one really got going in reply although a late flourish of 32* from Wallis was pleasing to see.
With three games to go we knew we needed a result to go our way and for us to win them all. An away trip to Ashtead and the chance to show we were still in the hunt came next. Batting first and scoring 205 thanks to Roberts 37, Hunt 45, Price 30 and Honeybul 34 batting well meant the game was in the balance. Stuart-Reckling 2-21, Collins 4-34 and C Winder 2-36 bowled well to secure the win. Welcoming East Molesey to Esher on the penultimate week of the season we were excited to claim a big scalp. Unfortunately, the nemesis of our season the rain came again and the points were shared. One final push against Wimbledon was required and we needed our best friends East Molesey to beat Reigate to ensure survival. Being put into bat came as no shock and the group was ready. McCallum showing his class yet again with 66, Honeybul 41 and exciting cameos from Wallis 18 and De La Fuente 21* propelled us to 221-7 at the end of our 50. A final bowling performance was required and delivered. Backed up by some brilliant fielding as well. French 3-30 and Stuart-Reckling 1-29 got us off to a good start before the control of De La Fuente 2-23 and the spin twins of Wallis 4-36 and Collins 0-43 kept it tight and us on top leaving them bowled out for 165. Absolutely clinical, and as luck and fate would have it, Reigate lost meaning we stayed up!
What a season it was, and it was a privilege to be a part of a special group. I’d like to thank Doc for his splendid scoring and always keeping us informed of run rates, and opposition stats. Thanks also to everyone at Esher CC for their support throughout the season home and away. Finally, best of luck for next year as there’s no ceiling to this group’s potential.
2nd XI player of the season
The Second XI player of the season this year was Max Wallis. Max is a joy to play with each week and his attitude, enthusiasm, and desire to improve was inspirational to see. Coming into the team as a young left arm spinner was no doubt a daunting task but Max filled the role with aplomb and his destructive batting and tight bowling were key to the team staying in the premier division. Max has the rather enviable trait of picking up crucial wickets and moreover doing so to break partnerships at key moments. He is an ever present voice in the outfield encouraging teammates and often dragging us along with him to ensure pressure doesn’t let up. He had a fantastic individual season and I look forward to seeing his progress in the years to come.
Back Row R to L – Tom Brown, Nathan Roberts, Matt McPherson, Max Dunn, Nick Winder
Front Row R to L – Trishan Patel, Joe De La Fuente, Anosh Malik, Archie Stroud, Max Wallis, Dan Old