2ND XI SEASON REVIEW 2026

On the surface, the 2nd XI had a poor season, with just five wins and ending second bottom in their division. While this may actually be a fair position based on overall performances, there were plenty of positive signs and a few particularly noteworthy results.

Injury and unavailability has been a recurring theme for the 2nds over the past few years, and 2026 was no exception. The batting was shorn of Tom, Doc, and Watty for most of the season, and Ruffers senior also only played a handful of games. Henry Dickinson played extremely well to average a shade under 40 this year, but again was restricted to just 7 appearances. Along with the Doc, Si Marsh and usual opening bowler Faisal Ahmed only played a few games, leaving the attack to be shouldered by skipper Nick Marsh - himself carrying an injury - and an array of youngsters.

This lack of experience through the ranks did however allow some of the younger players to step up. Luke Hall was especially productive towards the back end of the year, and his performances across both 2nd and 3rd XIs yielded a handful of half centuries and a maiden ton which will be covered more in the 3rd XI review. Luke indeed ended the season with the most runs in the 2nds, a shade under 300. Another youngster, AJ Roughley, will remember this season with some delight - not only did he register a first senior century in a 3rd XI friendly, he then posted a ton for the 2nd XI against a strong Brooksbottom outfit, albeit in a losing cause. The side also pulled off a great win against Bury, with Sam Woolley taking four wickets and earning himself a semi-regular spot in the 1st XI for the second half of the season - this did, however, weaken the 2nds as his all-round skills are developing nicely.

Nick Marsh was his usual consistent self, averaging almost 40 thanks to some dogged middle order performances, and the returning Danny Moriarty offered glimpses of his ability, his 49 at Blackley complementing a brutal century from Ruffers senior as the side passed 300 for the only time this year. However, a run chase of 372 in that game tells its own story, with the bowling coming under regular bombardment from more experienced sides.

The bowling was inconsistent and expensive, it must be said, and not helped by lots of missed chances in the field - another unfortunately familiar story. Katie and Jack gave their all, but struggled at times to contain the big hitting sides. It was not for want of effort, with Katie in particular leading the attack really well with the new ball in difficult circumstances and picking up regular wickets. New recruit Dave Cranmer also showed encouraging signs, though all the bowlers will reflect on the very high numbers of wides conceded across many games. Indeed the 64 conceded in that Blackley game proved especially costly and is something that will need to be sorted if the side is to challenge for a higher place next year. A shout out also to Corey Sheehan, who has adopted the "Awais role" of playing in every side the club puts out, sometimes 9 or 10 times per week, and who is a marvellous fielder. His progress is another to keep a close eye on.

Despite this ongoing struggle, the 2nds pulled off one of the all-time great finishes in their home game with former NMCL rivals Springhead. Having conceded a hefty 266, despite reducing the visitors to 99-5 at one point, the 2nds had slumped to 181-9 when the last pair, Faisal and Jack Schoey, came together. What followed was astonishing. Fez clubbed 60 from 37 balls, Jack 29 from 24, and the pair somehow achieved a run rate pushing 10 an over to knock off the runs with what must surely be a club record unbeaten 88 run partnership for the last wicket.

A final word must go to skipper Nick Marsh who has announced that he will now step down from leading the 2nds. Nick seeks no praise and has had a pretty thankless job trying to find 11 players each week, given the raft of injury and absence, and his role cannot be underestimated. He absolutely personifies what it means to care about this club, the younger players, and the bigger picture, and is probably the most selfless cricketer I can think of with bat and ball. We'll miss you as skipper, but it'll be a pleasure to finally take the field with you again next season.