Huncote lost by one wicket in this closely fought game. Huncote lost the toss and were put in, but could only manage 120 all out, Ian Crossley top scored with 18, Peter Kirby next with 17, and Ross Spencer and Mitch both made double figures. All in all a disappointment batting.

The team bowled much better and fielded well on a difficult out field, Carl Sommer the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets, Jon Shipley and Matt Adcock chipped in with one each. The strike bowler Tim Kirby was slow to start with one wicket in his opening spell, but came back to bowl excellently. With the home side needing only single figures to win, he bowled 2 tail enders to leave Huncote needing one wicket and Taverners 3 runs. Unfortunately a bad bounce left Mitch Hubbard no chance behind the stumps and Tavs won on four byes.

After winning the toss new skipper Eddie Stratford invited Taveners to bat first, J W Smith opened the bowling starting with a tight maiden. James Brewin opened down the hill, these two continued bowling for 18 overs keeping the batsman from scoring freely but only occasionally troubling them. A change was needed so the silver fox was bought on to replace Brewin. What a change the first ball was a wide (must be old age) the next was no better but the batsman hit it straight back to Eddie who took a catch at mid-on, four balls later Frank stumped the other opener and Stan had two victims. Wickets then fell at regular intervals with some good bowling and excellent fielding skipper Eddie providing 4-13 off 9 overs, with James Brewin pulling off a great catch in the covers prompting their umpire to ask “Is that guy a goalkeeper?” which got the reply “I doubt it”. Anyway Taveners were out for 111 off the last ball of the 47th over so tea was taken.

Huncote started their reply with Frank Hubbard and Jamie Smith opening, they found runs hard to come by due mainly to the lack of bounce and slowness of the ball coming onto the bat. Jamie was first out plum LBW in front of his wickets, next in was Eddie who didn’t last long getting run out by Frank (oh dear not the right thing to do). Soon Alan, Frank and Ross were all out cheaply leaving Huncote struggling at 30-5 off 16 overs, enter Dave Gamble and James Brewin who with luck and judgment proceeded to hit the ball all over the park and try in vain to run each other out without success. These two put on 84 runs before Dave was bowled out for 29 runs, Craig came and went for 3 run out with 2 runs needed for success. In came Stan to hit the winning run to secure victory by 3 wickets. 

MOM James Brewin.

                        RUNS              BOWLING                 CATCHES

F.Hubbard            4                                                          2 + 2 Stumpings

J.Smith                 5                                                         

E.Stratford            2                    4-13                             1

A.Sommer            5

D.Gamble            29                   

R.Matthews         0         

J.Brewin            43no                 2-37                             1

C.Webb                3

S.Sexton            1no                  3-29

G.Farmer            DNB   

A pretty average start to the season for the losers from the Huncote Sunday Team. PK lost the toss and was put into bat, which he was planning anyway. Huncote opened with the stylish Swords along side the worlds greatest batsman Carl Sommer.

Soon Sommer succumbed bowled for 9 but it was plain to see the old magic was back. In came the slow and steady Tim Kirby. The solid batsman heaped a big partnership with Swords of around 75 runs and this set up a good score for the Hun. Both TK and Max went on to get fifties. Geoff came in later and was exciting scoring a brisk 36, and Mitch hit a few big boundries. Skipper Pete Kirby came and went for a golden, and Huncote were all out for 192.

Then came the moment the Huncote boys were waiting for all winter, a good look a Strewths melons. Once again she did not disappoint, in fact they were juicer than ever, good work Ruth. Top marks again for a wonderful tea. Warning to Somner, you are fat enough, cut back on the cakes lad.

Ducklings were bowled out for 120 odd with some guy creaming 94 before being bowled by the impressive debutant Simon Farmer. Frazer Hubbard bagged a wicket, James Swann grabbed two wickets, as did Simon Farmer, Tim Kirby chipped in for one, and Somner and Crossley nabbed the rest. Just a quick mention on the worst bowler of the day, super Pete Kirby who was hit for 18 off 2 overs, good skills!!