Mitch Hubbard surveys the scene at the Caribbeans ground 25/06/05

After losing what was thought to be a crucial toss, Huncote were asked to have a bat on a damp wicket. One side boundary was very short and would prove to get peppered throughout the match. Crossley opened with Frank Hubbard, and the two made a steady start. Hubbard was caught for 11 off the bowling of Wallace and a decent partnership of 41 was on the board. Tim Kirby made a start before skying a catch, as Crossley continued his good form. The opener was in fine touch, regularly finding the boundary, but then lost Carl Spencer and Mark Schutz in quick succession. Fitzroy Wallace the man in the wickets again.

Crossley passed another 50 and was looking to accelerate. Khawaja was supporting well at the other end, as the score went to 121-4 off 31 overs. Hyman then produced a stunning one handed catch on the boundary to remove the Huncote opener for an excellent 76. Corbett the bowler. What happened then can only be described by the word carnage. James Brewin came to the crease and had licence to attack from word go.

This he did as shot after shot found the boundary, the opening bowlers returned only to be treated with the same disdain as both Khawaja and especially Brewin opened their shoulders. After just 27 balls, Brewin was celebrating a 50. Things went from bad to worse for the Caribbeans as the big hitting Brewin took just 17 more balls to complete a dazzling century. 9 fours and 7 sixes were hit and Khawaja despite scoring well still was yet to register his 50!

Mohammed Khan got some revenge the very next ball, removing Brewin's off stump but the damage had been done. From 121-5 to 260-6, in just 13 destructive overs. Hubbard holed out trying to keep the rate going, but Khawaja finished the innings in style, a 6 and a 4 that in turn brought up a well deserved 50. His quick thinking in running singles to get Brewin on strike meant he had only faced 54 balls himself!

What can only be described as a delightful tea followed as the confident visitors then strode out onto the field. Also strolling out were the Caribbean batsmen who had no plans of going quietly into the night. Pilgrim was electric, and took the attack to the Huncote openers. He was momentarily removed from the crease when he hit a full ball into his already broken toe, but returned when Haffeljee was run out by an excellent Khawaja throw.

Pilgrim went back to his attacking best, particularly brutal on anything bowled short. Dyke though managed to find the edge of Khan's bat and Carl Spencer took a fantastic diving catch in the gully. Wayne Smith picked up the wicket of Umar Khan, well caught at backward square leg by Ian Crossley. The two Kirby's were then brought into the attack, with both Weeks and Pilgrim looking solid in the run chase. The rate was still high and wickets were needed.

Peter Kirby was being milked through the leg side but came up with an clever field. Ian Crossley at deep square leg was joined by Carl Spencer at forward square leg three quarters of the way to the boundary, and also James Brewin at back square leg the same distance back. Surely the experienced batsmen would not fall into the trap of bowling the leg stump line and looking for the catch? Surely yes! A flick from Weeks went straight into the bucket hands of Spencer and the trap had worked for once. When Pilgrim fell victim for 90 to a brilliant Frank Hubbard stumping next over, Huncote smelt victory, and Tim Kirby had his first wicket.

The dangerous Hyman and Porter were still there though, but Dyke back into the attack produced a ripper yorker to remove Hyman first ball. Porter went soon after to a debatable LBW against the bowling of Tim Kirby, and from then it was just a matter of time. Daud nicked Dyke behind, and Pete Kirby who had returned into the attack bowled Martin round his legs. Corbett hung on for the not out as Wallace was last to go, hitting high for Pete Kirby to take the catch in the covers off of Smith's bowling.

An excellent performance from the visitors, and Huncote can be proud of their batting, bowling and fielding. The final mention must go however to a certain Mr James Brewin. Never usually at the crease for that long but while he is there, the sparks will fly, 100 off just 44 balls. Excellent work!

Man of the Match- James Brewin

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