After two straight defeats Huncote needed to get their season back on track at home to second bottom Walton. On an average summers day skipper Silk lost the toss and were invited to bat by the opposition. Huncote might have done this anyway so no one minded much; the track looked good although this was to be proven wrong as the game went on. Silk and Frank opened and were going slow before Silk edged one behind for 6. This started a top order batting collapse where Frank, Spenny, Ross, Matty Adcock and PK all were dismissed for less then double figures. Huncote were 33 for 6 and not looking too good. In step brave warrior Betty and the farmboy, it was slow going trying to rebuild the early loss of batsman but these two kept the score going steadily, farmboy was next to go and in came TK to join Betty. These two kept the good work of scoring steadily going.

Back to the track well the ball was flying all over the place moving sideways as well as up and down at varied hights, many batsman took blows including TK who bought one down nicely on the chest and should have John Smithed it into the surrounding field but the ball was slightly harder, and the bruise is there for all to see. As the 40th over was in sight TK and Betty felt it was time to try and up the rate but as soon as this was said Betty was caught round the corner for a very impressive 21! A good couple of partnerships had given Huncote the chance to amount a sort of challenging score. In came the big hitting Webby and soon 3 fours had been hit 2 by the Webmeist and one by TK. It wasn't long before TK was bowled by one which nipped back a bit trying to cut. Then enter who some call 'The Greatest Batsman in the World' Twiggy. He got Webby running and got Huncote to 113 - 9 at the close.

As usual tea was good and with no floodlight collapsing it was a peaceful experience which saw the mighty Leicester win another game. After this it was Huncote's turn to take the field and try to bowl in the right places to gain the desired wickets. Two weeks ago away to Stoke Golding the bowlers were publicly criticised by skipper Silk about not putting the ball in the right areas enough to trouble the batsman. This week was a different story. TK and Twiggy opened the bowling and it wasn't long before Twiggy struck. He got a ball to lift off the track (it was pitched half way down though) the batsman tried to pull the ball and top edged straight back to the safe hands of the bowler. It was now time for some comedy moments, after being hit twice through the leg side by the bloke who hit TK in the chest he looked for some revenge. First he hit the 'Smiler' as he was nicknamed in the side of the knee then a couple of balls later hit him square in the jaw and forced him to retire hurt. More of this story later when he returned.

Twiggy was in fine form early on with the new ball bowling tight lines and this resulted in a field change leaving mid on open. The batsman tried a quick single but like a whippet from Hinckley dog tracks (Im A Big un especially) Twiggy was on the ball and ran out the batsman. Things were looking better for Huncote. Smiler decided to make a re appearance, a few balls later and TK hit him in the box then in the leg again. Matty told the batsman 'If it was a boxing match it would have been stopped by now' next ball it was. Smiler with his head looking at the clouds tried to work one on the leg side and got a leading edge straight to Ross in the gully. Walton 3 down and Huncote starting to create some pressure, Twiggy struck again soon after catching the glove straight through to the waiting hands of Frank, the Twig also grabbed another wicket and as farmboy put it made it 3 - 1 to him in the wicket stakes.

Walton then put on a bit of a partnership of about 15 before TK got their captain caught at backward square be Twiggy. Next ball and middle stump was disturbed by a good yorker by TK. Two wickets needed with Walton requiring about 70 runs things were looking good for huncote, it wasn't long before TK bowled their penultimate man leaving one wicket needed and the score on 58. The next over and it was all over Twiggy claiming his fourth to make it 4 all and a run out as ten man Walton were well beaten.

A good win for Huncote and a confidence boost ahead of the visit to the dragons lair and even worse track of the incestuous, inbread freaks of nature known as Swallows Green. We will need good luck to come away in one piece and no visits to hospital against our bitter rivals. Well done boys a good performance and a comprehensive victory!!

MOM : Carl Sommer, great spell of bowling, and some comedy batting.

Why are you even reading this report, I think Geoff Farmer has writer's block, Jamie Smith possible could not tell a keyboard from his arse (Jamie it is the one that does not smell) and the rest of the team not really caring.....

So I will make up a report based on recent cricketing trends.  Huncote batted first, and Jamie Smith scratched around before being caught, the rest of the team all added something, and apparently Frazer Hubbard top scored.  Brewin wore some whites, Al Sommer said "come on let's work hard", and Swanny spent the whole first innings trying to straighten his hair in preparation for Waine and Sunday's game.  Eddie made some usual, but good decisions.  JW wandered around the boundary a few times, and the rest of the lads worked hard.  Stan had a little moan but this is all very productive.

I think JW Smith and Rikki Swann managed most of the bowling and Eaves were bowled out sparking much celebration (?).  There were a few catches, some dropped, people were bowled and fun was generally had by all (except the batsman who kept on getting out).

MOM : You choose, I would go for Stan, the old bugger will be missed sorely when he hangs up his boots.

Huncote CC Select XI V Shefford Touring Massive

A hugely entertaining, and enjoyable friendly match between two colossuses of cricket and karaoke.  Captain Kirby won the toss again, and elected to bat, in a side depleted of the magical Ian "Silk" Crossley who decided to sit and watch as the team had, for a change an abundance of players.  Excellent team play from the silk.  Anyhow with Crossley missing their was a vacant opening slot, and unsurprisingly this was given to the greatest batsman in the world, Carl Sommer, who teamed up with Jamie Smith to venture out. 

Unfortunately these two were caught out cheaply, Sommer miss timing a full toss, Smith cutting a ball that bounced more than could be expected.  The ship was steadied by James Brewin, who made a solid 15 runs, and Alan Sommer, back to his best, unlucky to only make 33.  Tim Kirby at 5 added stability, Frazer Hubbard now joined him, making 2 before being bowled.  Adie Smith joined Kirby and the runs were starting to flow.  Kirby went for a slow but steady 14, and in came the star man, "pube head" himself James "Swanny" Swan.  Smith and Swann batted very well, James running the quick singles, Adie hitting the ball for fours all over the park.  Smith eventually was bowled for 39 odd, and Swann was joined by the skipper, Kirby who made a brisk 8 before being caught attempting the technically termed "twat".  Waine Smith  joined the youngster who was really batting well, and once again cursed him,  Swann falling for a well deserved 19, the 15 year olds highest score in mens cricket.  JW Smith fell for a duck and the innings was completed, Huncote all out for 158 off 39 overs.

Tea was of the normal high standard, and with Waine Smith nursing a sore knee, his brother Adie took the new (ish) ball along side JW Smith.  In a lively opening Adie grabbed a wicket, and JW managed a couple, but also 3 drops, 1 each from Waine and Tim that should never be mentioned again, ever.  Brewin got in on the act but his was much more difficult.  Swann came on to bowl and was now riding a cricketing wave of brilliance, the Earl Shilton master class really shinning.  After 3 overs of unplayable pace (?) Swann had 2 wickets for 4 runs and had to removed from the attack for being "too good".  Good catches thus far from Frazer and Brewin.

Now the bowling was being rotated, the captain, Pete Kirby, first into the attack, and suprisingly bowling only slightly poorly, even picking up a wicket in his 4 overs.  Hubbard managed a few tidy overs, as did Jamie Smith, Alan Sommer, and Tim Kirby.  The opposition batsman were now in full stride, putting together a solid partnership, and the prospect of a close finish brought Waine and Sommer into the attack.  They did not disappoint Waine bowling tight medium pace picking up a wicket, and Carl Sommer taking 3 in 3 overs to wrap up the game, a spirited Shefford run chase falling 20 runs short.  All in all a great game, on an average end of season wicket, and a great sing song in the bar after wards (who was that guy who was break dancing, and spinning on his head, what a legend!!!).

MOM : There is only one possible choice, destructive with both bat and ball, a master of cricket, a player of pure quality, and very curly hair, the one and only James Swann.