The season started for the 2nd XI at Brownacres with the first game at home to visiting Haslemere
who finished fourth in 2009. Losing the toss Vandals were sent in on what looked a very good
batting strip. Enter young Tom Robinson (49) and thanks to some wayward bowling from the
opposition left us defending a total of 201. When it was our turn with the red cherry, seasoned
veteran Daron Tribe and a fiery young quick in Stuart Baldwin tore the Haselmere top and middle
order apart, leaving the medium pacers to wrap up the tail to produce a very fine win.
Next up was Guildford City who travelled up the A3 to give us a lesson in cricket .... the less
said the better. However, what came next was possibly the best individual and team performance
of the season with stand in captain Lee Merryweather taking the attack to the Worplesdon &
Burpham bowlers bludgeoning a quick-fire 109* and Jim Sanderson a very solid and patient 58*.
Declaring on 259 for 3 off 37 overs on an excellent batting wicket it was time to take to the field.
Worplesdon & Burpham's only option was to bat for a draw but thanks to some fine bowling from
Daron Tribe and Tony Pollard we eventually wrapped up their innings in the 51st over.
Unfortunately it was not then until mid July that we recorded another success this time against
Roehampton, with in form batsman Jim Sanderson scoring a solid 83* and Connor Baker stroking
at fine 50 taking Vandals to a respectable 221 for 4. All the bowlers got in the act with taking wickets
wrapping up a fine Vandals performance with ball, bat and fielding.
The final day of July took us to Long Ditton which is arguably one of the best grounds in the
league. Winning the toss, Vandals sent in a young Long Ditton side to take first knock and a good
all—round bowling display with Umar Hameed taking 4-28 left Long Ditton defending 157. After tea
we chased down the score in 35 overs with Lee Merryweather scoring 70*,
Against Frimley the following week, we were sent in and scored a mammoth 279 for 6 on a
very damp wicket with useful contributions from Nick Fenwick (43), Jamie Chapman (46), Connor
Baker (20) Tom Robinson (42) and half centuries by the skipper and vice skipper Steve Hart (50)
and Lee Merryweather (51). With a makeshift opening bowling attack, we were unable to make
early inroads into the opposition. With the experience of Jamie Pompeii turning his arm over and
breaking the opening partnership of 82 Frimley scored another 40 runs before Vandals took another
wicket. Although Mark Fenton picked up three wickets, Frimley hung to close on 185 -8.
The last two matches did not produce any more success, howeverm, there were some fine
individual and team performances. Jim Sanderson scored 364 at 72.80 before being promoted to the
1st XI and Lee Merryweather scored 310 runs at 51.67. On the bowling front, Daron Tribe took 26
wickets with Jamie Pompei and the ever improving Stuart Baldwin both taking 10 wickets apiece.
Many thanks too to the retiring Steve Hart who has led the team with exemption and has
underpinned the team for the last few years, hopefully we will see a few cameo appearances from
him in 2011. Also thanks to the groundsman for preparing improved Vandals pitches and to Dave
for scoring and to George for umpiring