The much anticipated match of the season as Mark Schutz's former team travelled to the Spearing Waite bowl to tackle Huncote on the back of an article in the Sporting Blue. Ian Crossley won the toss and invited Whetstone to bat as some mid day rain had livened the track up. Smith and Kirby once again took the new ball and managed to get a bit of movement and find some interesting bounce particularly up the hill. Kirby found the edge of Taberner's bat only for the ball to fall short of Hubbard and race away for 4. After 7 overs the heavens opened and play was halted for 20 minutes enforcing both teams to lost 2 overs each.

In the 10th over Kirby finally made the breakthrough as he bowler Taberner followed a few overs later with Chandarana also bowled. The bounce up the hill was by now very lively with balls leaping from a length and both Sheperd and Joshi taking a few blows from Kirby. The scoring rate of 2 per over was not threatening though as in particular Smith kept the scoring tight with a good line and length. In the 22nd over Kirby struck again as the ball bounced a little more then usual and found Sheperd's edge straight to the waiting Hubbard behind the stumps. At the half way point Whetstone had reached 43/3 and were ready to push things along.

Joshi and Dattani did just this, Knibbs had replaced Smith and was receiving some rough treatment as was Kirby who was sent for 25 in 4 overs to bring his spell to an end. Sommer then ran out Dattani and Williams came to the crease and continued where his predecessor had left off. Boundaries were becoming too regular for Huncote's liking with both Joshi and Williams scoring freely.

With Williams on 33 Sommer finally got his man as Williams was caught by Knibbs as short fine leg. Turnell joined Joshi and the two managed to add 50 runs from the final 7 overs, Joshi finishing unbeaten on 69.  The score 183-5.

Huncote opened as usual with Crossley and Hubbard and were soon 10 for 1 as Baloch bowled Crossley, the ball pitching and keeping very low saw Crossley very upset with the pitch and any object in his path to the changing room. Pete Kirby followed without troubling the scorers and when Schutz fell for 0 and Hubbard 4 the score was still only 15. Driver and Spencer rallied slightly adding 16 before Driver was adjudged LBW bringing T Kirby to the crease. Spencer still at the other end decided to take the attack to Whetstone and smashed 5 4's before trying to force one only to be caught by Baloch at point off of Turnell. 48 for 6 with Kirby and Adcock at the crease, things were not looking good.

Runs were hard to come by and the bounce up the hill from Turnbull was dangerous at times enforcing Adcock to call for his helmet. At this point there was no plan except stay alive, runs were hard to come by off Turnbull but Kirby was managing to put the bad ball away down the hill off Modi. In 8 overs the pair added 20 and managed to get to half way at 68 for 6. Still 116 short of victory and 21 overs remaining the Huncote players already departed could be seen pacing around hoping to grab a draw.

Whetstone were exerting good pressure with Adcock taking the brunt of it but both batsman were taking blows around the chest and on the gloves from Turnell. At 30 overs the score had progressed to 87 and thoughts of batting and higher draw points were discussed in the middle. Get to 10 overs to go then we can reassess was the plan, both batsman helping each other and having to laugh off the ball leaping and missing the outside edge. In one mid over meeting Adcock told Kirby he was on 21 and Kirby replied with 31 both just happy to still be hanging in there.

32 overs gone 90 for 6 needing 94 from 11 overs the first batting point was well in sight but Kirby was starting to get other ideas smashing 19 from 3 overs. At this point Kirby punched the air at the Huncote balcony and informed Adcock it was time to go for it. 73 needed off 8 overs Adcock looked shocked but agreed to try and hit the bad ball and keep getting Kirby on strike so he could have a go. The Whetstone field had started to spread; the close catchers had gone as they sensed what was happening. 29 were added without losing a wicket in the next 4 overs leaving a target of 44 off 4 overs, 11 an over and the adrenalin was pumping in both batsmen.

In regular meetings Adcock was calming Kirby down trying to motivate him in the right way and keep it going, by now Kirby had reached his maiden first team 50 in 70 balls and was ready to explode into action. 12 were taken off the next over, 15 off the 41st leaving 17 needed off 2 overs. Baloch was back on up the hill and was bowling a tighter line where as Turnell now operating down the hill was not as effective and was receiving some heavy punishment. Kirby only managed to get 7 off the penultimate over but was on strike for the last needing 10 for victory.

Long chats by both batsmen and fielders to get it right saw a big delay before the final over, Turnell to Kirby. Full toss on the legs Kirby swings the bat the ball sails far and long over mid wickets head and into the next field. 4 needed off 5 balls when disaster as Kirby tries to win it with one blow and is bowled. 92 from 88 balls with the last 41 coming from 18 balls. Knibbs promoted up one place to try and finish it joins Adcock and they discuss the plan. First ball dot and Knibbs drives straight back to the bowler, second ball drive to mid off they run, miss-field allows them to get 2 but only just as Knibbs escapes a tight run out decision.

2 needed 2 balls remaining; another long delay Kirby pacing on the sideline downs a pint in record time and can't sit down. Turnell bowls Knibbs swings connects and sends the ball to deep midwicket. They run 1 and then 2 and make it Huncote have won when it seemed impossible. Kirby charges the field finds Adcock half way the two who added 132 jump around celebrating, the others join them as Huncote are delirious and still in shock.

The Whetstone boys were excellent throughout and all but one showed their appreciation of a great game of cricket. The alcohol flowed late into the night with both Kirby and Adcock drinking like there was no tomorrow. What a game of cricket and what great team effort by Huncote to recover from a down and out position.

MOM The pair of Kirby and Adcock did the damage with the bat but with 92 from 88 balls to add to 3 wickets Tim Kirby wins it hands do

Man of the Match- Tim Kirby

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