A view from J. W. Cartwright of Newbold Verdon: -

Huncote batted first with Ian Crossley and Frank Hubbard opening the batting. The two opening Newbold bowlers Bonehead and Granno were bowling a good line and length, and eventually a frustrated Ian Crossley got an edge to a Bonehead delivery to be comfortably caught by Huw Davies at first slip for 6 runs. Hendo came onto to replace Granno and soon settled into a good line and length beating both batsmen regularly. Hendo bowled a ball up to Frank Hubbard who played all round the delivery to be cleaned bowled for 14. Huncote’s scoring rate at this point was only around 3 an over after 18 overs.

Frazer Hubbard came in to support Tim Kirby; TK was looking secure without scoring quickly. Frazer tried to force the pace and drove to long on to be caught comfortably by Granno off Huw Davies for 13. James Brewin came into bat and immediately upped the scoring rate hitting 4 fours .He hit a six through mid wicket which resulted in Matt Smith having to go off injured and eventually to hospital for stitches to his knee, after making a valiant attempt to catch it. Mark Bird had come into the attack to slow Brewski down and he got him LBW to a fuller ball for a very entertaining 30. The rest of the batting fell away and Tim Kirby hit a very patient 48 including 6 fours and 1 six, but was in for 94 balls. He was out hitting Huw Davies to long off, where he was caught by Daniel Chapman. Mitch Hubbard was ran out by sub fielder Doug Crowley quick throw from deep point to wicket keeper Neal Bateman. Mark Bird succeeded in quietening the tail having Max Swords caught for 8 by Neal Bateman and bowling Peter Kirby for 4. Huncote ended up with 143 for 8 off their 40 overs with Mark Bird getting 3 for 32 and Paul Bateman bowling really well with 1 for 24 off 9 overs. Tim Kirby and James Brewin were the highlights of the Huncote knock.

The Huncote tea was very nice, unfortunately the author had to organise transport for the injured Matt Smith to hospital, so could not sample all the delights on offer. A big thanks to Ian Crossley in helping to clean up Matt’s injury.

Newbold opened the batting with Neal Bateman and Ryan Bird, with Luke Dyke claiming Neal’ s wicket for 2 runs by bowling him off his pad. Ryan Bird and Bonehead the proceeded to make batting look easy and went along at a brisk pace and reached 110 for 1 off 25 overs. At this stage Newbold were in total control and needed 34 runs off 15 overs with really only 8 wickets left. Huncote whilst bowling well, sensed they were out of it, but had not given up. Then in the space of 2 overs the game changed. 

Bonehead had reached 40 and was facing Frazer Hubbard medium pacers when he tried to launch out of the ground and only succeeded in putting a skier up to mid off which comfortably caught by Luke Dyke. Randall then scored a single to get up to the legendary Nelson 111, and then the fun started. Tim Kirby bowled the next over and off the first ball Randall drove the ball into Peter Kirby’s hands at cover, getting out for 58 runs including 7 fours. His batting performance was pure class, and he made it look so easy undoubtedly the batting performance of the day, however another hero or two were to emerge later.

In came the legendary Dingle and he tried to turn Tim Kirby for a single off his legs, he missed it and it hit his pads , Tim shouted for LBW and the umpire concurred with the shout and Dingle walked forlornly and slowly back to the pavilion in disbelief, out for a golden duck. In his defence he looked well forward, however varying opinions have been offered and the umpires seem to have got most of the decisions right all day. The Newbold batsmen were ill prepared for the falling of this wicket and were still getting ready and this may have contributed to the mayhem that followed. In walked sheephead and he faced Tim Kirby who bowled a ball a shade short outside off stick, sheephead went to cut it popped a little higher than expected and he provided a comfortable catch to Frazer Hubbard at point. 

In then walked Grano what would he do with his first ball, again a little short from Tim Kirby it rose a little higher than expected and with the slightest of touches from the bat and he decided to see whether Frank Hubbard could catch behind the wicket. He walked off from the square with a smile on his face out for another golden duck; he had quickly forgotten the “Easy Easy “ chant from earlier in the innings. Newbold were now 111 for 6, and in came the Bear who saw off the last two balls of the over quite easily. Tim Kirby had taken 4 wickets in four balls, bowling on a good spot just short of length, and he had turned the game round in quite a remarkable over. Whilst all this happened Gaz Bell had come in and was stuck at the non-strikers end watching everyone walk back to the pavilion. 

Two overs later Tim Kirby bowled one, which owed more to the pitch than his bowling abilities and it popped resulting in Mark Wilkinson giving a simple caught and bowled to Tim Kirby, out for 5. Newbold were now 120 for 7, when in walked 16-year-old Daniel Chapman. He and Gaz Bell put on 10 until Gaz put a short ball from Wayne Smith into backward points hands and was out for 15. Gaz could have put it anywhere; anyway the last pair was now batting for Newbold with Matt Smith’s injury. 

Hendo and Chappers needed 14 runs off 10 overs. Huncote really applied the pressure with Wayne Smith bowling, having 2 unsuccessful appeals for LBW against Hendo, one of which must have been very close. Luckily the main bowlers Tim Kirby and Wayne Smith ran out of overs and Chappers and Hendo batted sensibly nicking ones here and there and Chappers hitting a four behind square. Chappers faced Frazer Hubbard in the 38th over and clipped him for one run behind square leg for the winning run.

What a game, both teams could have won it. Newbold were cantering to victory, Tim Kirby bowled a superb over and then Huncote were really fighting for the victory. Huncote must have thought they had won it with the last pair in and needing 14 to win. This game was worthy of the final. it was played in great manner by both teams and was a credit to all the players. The pitch has been mentioned but Tim Kirby bowled really well, just short of a length and using his height exploited a little bit of variable bounce, only Paul Bateman and Hendo of the Newbold bowlers bowled similar. Man of the match was Tim Kirby, but some other great performances from Brewski, Bonehead, Randall and Chappers. A great afternoon, who needs to see 20 20 when you can get this entertainment.

Man of the Match- Tim Kirby

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