Henley’s Second XI travelled to Uxbridge CC, looking to build some momentum from a tight win at Tring Park the previous Saturday. With Captain Euan Brock out with injury, Liam Hilditch was given the reins, winning the toss and batting first.

Jack Biddulph was accompanied out to the middle by Charlie Hunt, the pair putting on an opening stand of 45 before Hunt was removed by Uxbridge’s Australian overseas, Balbi. Biddulph was now joined by Bradbury, who after dispatching his first ball for a boundary, became the second victim of a straight Balbi delivery. Hilditch now joined Biddulph at the crease, the pair largely dealing in boundaries as the score raced past 100. Biddulph was dismissed for 54 (55) just prior to the first drinks break. It was then the turn of Desai to join Hilditch at the crease. Following a few slow overs looking to rebuild, the pair piled on a 113 run partnership before Hilditch holed out to deep mid-wicket for 81 (92). Desai continued to score quickly and had taken the score to 268-5 before losing his wicket for 82 (81). Safi 21 (26), accompanied by Homewood with an impressive 32 (20) did the bulk of the damage at the back end of the innings. Henley finished on 328-8 at the end of their innings.

With the ball it was the usual story up top, Simon Wheeler with an exceptional first spell to remove both of Uxbridge’s opening batsmen. Elliot Saunders, making his senior debut for HCC joined him up top and provided an excellent pairing as Uxbridge struggled to make use of the first power play fielding restrictions. Owen Bowles and Jack Biddulph combined impressive spells in the middle overs, picking up one wicket a piece before handing over the ball to the sides two leg spinners, Hunt and Desai. With only one real dangerous batsmen left at the crease for Uxbridge, Henley looked to contain and let patience prevail as Uxbridge amassed a fourth wicket partnership of 109. At one moment the game looked to be in the balance, with Henley still dominating but by no means home and dry. Desai removed Uxbridge’s set man for 91 with Uxbridge now 194-5, before Uxbridge’s collapse then ensued. Desai cleaning up the lower middle order and tail, as the pick of the bowlers with an impressive six wicket haul.

A great win for Henley, taking them into the mid-table of Division One following back to back wins