08/05/04 - Huncote v Woodhouse Eaves

Woodhouse Eaves 112 all out, Huncote 113-6 - Huncote win by 4 wickets. View Scorecard

After a heavy nights rain a late pitch inspection deemed that play could go ahead at the Spearing Waite Huncote Bowl. Two changes for Huncote as last years batsman of the year Ross Spencer replaced Mitch Hubbard, and James Swann replaced Matty Adcock.  After last weeks poor display it was time for things to pick up. The game started well with Crossley winning the toss and inserting Woodhouse on a wet wicket.

Smith and Kirby opened the bowling and started in much better form then the previous week as Kirby struck early utilising swing to bowl the Woodhouse opener, Andrews, leg stump.

Runs were hard to come by with both opening bowlers keeping a good line and length. Wickets were not falling though and Kirby was replaced by Sommer. This sparked action as Smith and Sommer both got in the wickets as the Woodhouse middle order started to crumble. A couple of dropped catches did not help the cause though as Harding reached 40 before being removed by Sommer. Frank Hubbard was at his best though standing up to the stumps taking a great catch off Wayne Smith and keeping the batsman thinking through the whole innings.

Kirby was bought back for Smith who bowled an impressive 17 over spell picking up 2 wickets. Sommer was to be the star man though as he picked up 5 wickets and a run out while Kirby grabbed the other 2 bowling Woodhouse out for 112.

As usual an excellent spread was taken and Crossley and Hubbard took the field. Crossley was soon in his stride and getting the run chase going, unfortunately as per last week he fell just as he was getting going for 22. Schutz and Pete Kirby then fell to silly shots as Huncote seemed to be throwing all the hard work away. Hubbard was in good form at the other end though hitting some good shots as he steadily whittled away at the required total. Spencer supplied some support before falling bowled another mini collapse as first Brewin the Hubbard fell for 1 and 28 respectively.

Tim Kirby and James Swann entered the fray needing 26 to win with 4 wickets remaining, Swann showed a mature head for his years and with Kirby kept working for the singles and trying to dispatch the poor ball.  Harding, who batted well earlier was the pick of the bowlers and was hard to get away. With 2 overs to go Huncote had managed to reduce the target to 2 and this was achieved thanks to 2 byes sparking huge celebrations by Swann and particularly Kirby.

A win for Huncote and a good way to put last weeks result out of their minds, still some improvement in the catching department needed but the bowling and some of the batting was a marked improvement. Next week sees a double header weekend against Great Glen away and Walton le Wolds at home. Huncote will be hoping for another successful weekend particularly as others around the league were unable to play.

Great credit must also be given to the people who work on the ground and managed to get the game going, as the results show not many others managed it and it is great credit to the club that we played.

MOM Carl Sommer for his 5 wickets and a run out, although Hubbard pushed him close for his keeping and battling innings.