On a wet weekend, the 2s managed to get a 45 over a side game in against Hatfield & Crusaders. Stand-in skipper Aaron Fitzpatrick lost the toss and was inserted on a track that looked like it would be tough early on.

So it proved to be, with none of the Adelaide top 5 making it past 6. Openers Milton D'Costa and Euan Ferguson were both caught, before Luke Brett in at 3 fell LBW. Dan Simms and Nic Buckley looked to steady things for a few overs, but then Simms feathered one behind and Nic was later bowled backing away to a straight ball.

Gabriel Carroll offered resistance with a mature knock belying his age. He blocked well, and ran a multitude of singles to try and keep the game moving Ben Hammond at the other end hit a few lovely shots on his way to 17 but he was eventually out caught by a juggling catch at mid on. The captain played a rash shot first ball and was plumb in front and Ellis Heath was then bowled for 6. The returning Pavan Halai joined his classmate at the crease and played well for 19, with the two taking us over 100 and into some batting points.

Eventually Adelaide were all out for 126. A low score, yes, but enough to win both games between these two sides in 2023. So there was still hope. Aaron rolled the dice, opening up with spinner Nic alongside the left arm swing of Ellis. This was a bold approach, and Ellis id pick up one opener with a textbook in-swinging yorker. Ben Whiting then replaced Nic and his pace was too much for the other opener, bursting through his defences to bowl him. Game on. However, good batting from the 3 and 4 began to take the game away from the Adders. Pavan did pick up a wicket with a lovely ball that came in through the gate of Bond, Heath Bond and Euan picked up an LBW at the other end.

Nic came back on and picked up another couple of wickets, but ultimately 126 was a tad shy and with the rain beginning to fall Hatfield got over the line. A tough loss but some fighting spirit shown in the field.

The week after, a trip to St Margaretsbury. An OK total of 145 was achieved after 27 from Chintan at 3 - great to see him back from the 1s - and solid efforts from the Carroll twins down the order with Gabriel scoring 24 and Jacob 25. 23 from wides was the next best scorer, but 145 definitely a score that can be defended.

Unfortunately, St Margaretsbury sent in two big hitters to open. Both have 1st XI experience (though modest records) but were on song in the sun and made very light work of the Adelaide attack, going at almost 10 an over to chase down the total in just 15 overs. Adelaide's misery was compounded with a serious looking ankle injury for Tristan Barton-Allan, fresh back from university but looking like he may be spending some time in the physio's room over the coming weeks. A day to forget.