A Huncote view.........

Poor start, lost some wickets to decent bowling, Tim Kirby and Luke Dyke build solid partnership, before murdering rusty spinners.  Kibworth resort back to opening attack but still no joy, Huncote close on good total.  

Kibworth skipper Pedley takes on the attack helped by an impressive display from Morgan but Huncote runs prove too many.  Solid bowling from the Huncote lads take the game by a healthy margin.  Lovely ground, pitch awesome, Kibworth decent bunch, teas a bit pricey but great!!

A Kibworth view...........

Ah, the first game of the season. New bats, renewed optimism and trousers that have obviously shrunk since last September. A chance to catch up on all the news from the winter before charging into another Summer of Cricketing battle. Casting a glance around the dressing room four things became apparent

1. Scott Clayton had tried to emulate the Australian Surfer Boy look by head butting a bottle of Domestos all Winter
2. Will Jennings had done sterling service in the area of pie consumption
3. Gags Singh might even have defied nature by shrinking a couple of inches since last year
4. Dolly the Sheep was now obviously a back street freak show as Science now appears to be able to clone wicketkeepers. Step forward Jamie Morgan, genetic mutant of brother Pete!

Those arriving at the game late would have met with a surprising Scoreboard. A Huncote side containing 4 First Teamers had been reduced to 33 for 5 thanks to some excellent bowling from Dan Broughton, ‘Shane’ Clayton and debutant Rob Williams. It did take a delivery from that well-known cricketing theorist R. Anklonghop to open the door but after that the Kibby attack looked good value for their success.
Despite words of warning from a more senior member of the side Dan Pedley then took the gentlemanly option of making the attack more friendly. Unfortunately this was just as visiting batsmen Tim Kirby was showing distinct signs of liking his surroundings.
Gags bowled tidily and Aleem showed real signs of promise as well as a yard of extra pace in his spell but no more batsmen could be prised from the crease. Dan summoned both Tom Bale and Will Jennings to loosen up and the Carnage-o-meter went into overdrive.
Tom’s first five balls went for 20 before his final delivery finally bought (not brought) the wicket of Dyke for 49. Will met with similar punishment and three overs of ‘spin’ went for 56. Huncote were off the hook and heading for a decent score.
Tim Kirby was eventually run out for a swashbuckling 110, his innings only marred by a shameful act of jug avoidance in the bar after the game. Huncote closed on 237 and an unhealthy amount of tea was consumed.

Aside from Dan Pedley (57) and Morgan Clone (42) the Kibworth response was pretty forgettable. Gags lasted three balls before offering catching practice, Tom Bale nearly de-capitated the umpire with a couple of hung over heaves before meeting his doom and Dan Broughton under edged one through to the ‘keeper.
Dan Pedley was hitting boundaries and breaking other peoples bats at a merry rate whilst the Morgan Clone was more watchful, even being called back after a bizarre ‘run out’ incident that saw the umpire signal 4 even though the ball had not gone. Had we been playing less amenable opposition things could have got rather interesting.
There was still time for Tim Elwood to collect the ‘Thanks for Coming’ award, and for young Crossley to wrap up the home innings with two late wickets as Kibby had subsided to 135 all out.
Thanks to the Huncote lads for both the game and the atmosphere it was played in and best wishes for the new season to one and all.

Man of the Match- Tim Kirby

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