Minchinhampton 2nd XI final game of the season was at home to Frampton with Minch having not lost a game at home this year, so spirits were high. The weather was good so the game was set up beautifully. Minch needed to win so that they could get promoted so getting off to a good start was imperative. Minch won the toss and Joint Skipper Pitman decided to bat.

Starting strongly Minch raced to 35 for none off the first 4 overs! Tom Ritchings – Leading Run Scorer- finding the boundary with ease and yet again launching a big 6. However a sharp stumping by Smith saw the end of Creadon (12). T Shearman came out looking to Join Ritchings hoping for a repeat of their previous batting exploits together. However not long after Ritchings (27) fell to a “jaffa” from the sometimes wayward Taylor with the ball pitching on middle and cutting away to take the top of off. This saw the start of a mini collapse loosing Cartledge (5) and Hole (0) inside the first 10. Framptons P Collins showing his ability to bowl a consistent line and length. Skipper Shearman and keeper Fortune combined to steady the ship. A few maidens followed and the pair looked in good shape. Shearman putting anything lose to the fence especially of his legs, and Fortune shoring up the other end. Shearman (19) was looking in good touch until he defended one only for it to roll back onto the stumps. Fortune (4) followed soon after being undone by a good yorker from Taylor (2-22). Chris Davies and Matt Ritchings combined to see off Collins (4-48) and put on some quick runs but both fell in succession. Ritchings (17) playing round a straight one and Davies Being bowled for 6 both by T Johns (2-20). Minch were looking like posting a sub 120 but Nick Hitchcroft and Chris Beer combined to push Minch past 120, then 140. Hitchcroft showing his skill with the bat to score a quick 18. Beer had a few lucky moments on his way to 14 but was bowled by a straight one from E Burcher 1-19 . Pitman finished his season with another not out and Minch posting a below  par 141.

Frampton got off to a slow but steady start, getting to 30 off the first 10. Minch needed wickets and M Ritchings keeping it very tight was very unlucky not to take one, beating the bat on many occasions. Pitman bowled some good balls but was also unlucky not to get wicket. Minch brought Hitchcroft in to the attack he bowled a tight line and got 2 crucial wickets. Bowling S Bateman for 18 and then danger man Taylor for just 4. Minch kept on the pressure but a few loose deliveries from Shearman took a bit of the pressure off. Ed Burcher being particularly destructive. Shearman soon found his line to pen Frampton back bowling Boucher for 30. Hitchcroft finished his 10 overs and joint skipper Pitman came back on to team up with Shearman who had bowled some good inswingers. Pitman bowling a much better line and length in his second spell saw him york Meredith with a beautiful inswinger and uproot the leg stump of opener C Bateman (20). Shearman swung one in to Smith (1) to leave Minch needing just one more wicket. Pitman then got one through Collins to pin back middle and finish of the innings on 118. A valiant effort from Frampton with only 9 men. Ritchings finished with figures of 10 overs 5 maidens for just 15 runs but went wicket less. Hitchcroft took 2 key wickets for just 22 from his 10. Shearman took 3 for 32from 9 and Pitman took 3 for 24, his second spell being the best he has bowled all season A very enjoyable competitive game for both sides played in the right spirit. A fitting end to a brilliant season as the 2nd XI gain promotion from the SDCA Division 3.