Huncote Win by 33 Runs to win the Senior League Loros Cup
Huncote's cup winning side - Back row: Frank Hubbard, Wayne Smith (vc), Peter Kirby, Tim Kirby (c), Ben Crossley, Ian Crossley.  Front row: Carl Sommer, Luke Dyke, Danny Adcock, Frazer Hubbard, James Swann.

On a lovely day Huncote played out an enthralling cup final with the hard hitting Leicester Caribbeans.  Played on Leicester Ivanhoe's first team pitch, the setting looked a picture as Kirby and Porter went out to toss up.  Huncote won the toss and decided to make first use of a good looking batting strip.

Crossley and Frank Hubbard batted beautifully at the start as Shaukat mixed up quicker balls and bouncers to keep them on their toes.  Crossley looked to be scoring fluently before Frank Hubbard suffered a thigh strain and had to retire hurt.

Skipper Tim Kirby joined the opening bat as Crossley went on to pass 50.  A great knock ended by a fine catch.  Pete Kirby came and went, and it was once again Luke Dyke who took up the challenge of setting a total.  When the skipper went for 15, Dyke pushed on and made a decent 33.

Swann, Frazer Hubbard and Adcock added vital runs, but Ben Crossley set up a decent total with some lovely shots to finish up.  Wayne Smith scampered some important runs and a score of 197-8 looked challenging but not out of reach.

Tea was excellent, top marks to the hosts, as Huncote ventured out in buoyant mood.  Dyke and Tim Kirby opened the bowling and both looked dangerous, before a full pitched one from Dyke trapped the Carib's skipper Porter on the crease, LBW for 2.

Durant didn't fair much better and went for 6, again LBW this time to Kirby who was bowling tightly.  Dyke had his wind up by now and roared in the find the edge of Mahmood's bat, and his bowling partner did the rest at 1st slip, albeit with a bit of a juggle.

Huncote looked well on top now and the bowlers took a rest to return later.  Wayne Smith and Peter Kirby took up the duties as the Caribbean's started to fight back.  Pardesi and Khan added some decent runs before 2 quick wickets from Peter Kirby, both well caught, saw Huncote well on top.  Smith was keeping the runs down and Kirby looked his usual deceptively dangerous self!

Hyman and Shaukat had other ideas and batted with determination and class to get the Caribbean's past the 100 mark.  The overs were ticking by and Kirby and Smith went off.  The game now hung in the balance as both batsmen were starting to dominate.  Sommer came on to bowl tight, but Swann was blasted out of the attack.  The skipper turned to young Frazer Hubbard with Shaukat past his 50 and with 7 an over needed off 8 the game was tight.

Hubbard did the trick and picked up both batsmen in his destructive 2 over burst.  The game looked up now but the Caribbean's were far from finished.  First Weeks smashed Hubbard for a huge 6 then Khan cut a 4 off Sommer.  Huncote though knew the opening bowlers would be back, and that finished the game.  Dyke bowled an excellent maiden before Tim Kirby polished off the tale.

Excellent work from Huncote as Corbett's wicket signalled a well deserved win.  Credit to the whole team but in particular Dyke, Crossley and Tim Kirby played exceptionally.   Carib's never gave up, but a first cup win to Huncote and the skipper was delighted.  Kirby's 4-8 off 7.4 overs was exceptional but Dyke's allround contribution earned him the unofficial man of the match!

Man of the Match- Luke Dyke

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