Unfortunately a stretch to a short pitcher strained Crossley’s old groin injury and a runner was called for, Carl Sommer coming out. This did not effect Crossley’s concentration, as he became the main stay of the innings, scoring 84 excellent runs. At the other end Hubbard made 9 before being well caught, and Ross Spencer added big hitting 41, throwing caution to the wind at number 3.

Others came in and contributed to the Huncote cause but some good restrictive bowling held the home side to 191-8 with Underwood the pick of the Astley bowling. Tea was taking with both sides quietly confident of a possible victory.

Broughton appeared right to be confident, an aggressive start was only pegged back by a Knibbs yorker, and some aggressive short bowling from Tim Kirby, these two accounting for both openers. Brian Driver added a good spell of bowling picking up three wickets, but some attacking batting meant the away side were always up with the rate. One of Driver’s wickets was courtesy of a great 1st slip catch from the injured caption Ian Crossley.

Matty Adcock, playing his first competitive game of the year, offered some good variation of spin, but the return of Tim Kirby from the top end dragged Huncote back into the game, picking up 2 more wickets, including a good catch from Kawaja. Sommer also came to the party, with three late wickets. This included cleaning up the talented Calvney for 42 to win the match.

Astley finished on 158, 33 runs short. Calvney himself hit two huge sixes in his innings, one off Driver, and one off Sommer, who knows which was bigger, they both ended in the car park!! All in all a good return to form for Huncote, but Broughton made them work all the way through.

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