Huncote travelled to their bitter rivals for this season finale! Looking at the league skipper Silk noticed that with 23 points separating the teams if Huncote batted first they could not finish below the enemy. As per usual Silk won the toss and put Huncote in on a usually terrible track. Silk and Funtime Frankie opened the batting and got Huncote off to a slow steady start before Frank was caught at short leg. Spenny joined Silk and the scoring rate picked up before Spenny was given out to a very dubious LBW decision. Enter Spenny junior who after a quietish season was about to prove his class, in the next couple of hours Huncote stamped their authority on the game. The ball was despatched to all parts bowlers came and went and could not contain the masterclass of batting being displayed in the middle. Silk was first to reach his 50 capping a good season with the bat for the skipper. Ross was soon to follow for his first 50 of the season.

It wasn't long and the 150 partnership was clapped, old man Beesley was wound up and the usual abuse thrown by the scum was nowhere to be seen. Ross was bowled off of a no ball and eventually was well caught for a fine 80 odd. Not a usual Ross innings and if he bats like this every week next season who knows what he could achieve? The big hitting Webby joined the captain and was soon joining the party with a couple of 4's of his own!

Silk was next to go also for 80 odd and a good end to the season for the skipper, the rest of the batting order was decided by drawing names from a hat, plenty of funning followed and a couple of fours. Huncote finished on 243 - 7 a good score on not a great track.

A reasonable tea was taken and Huncote took the field. TK and Twiggy opening the bowling, TK struggled into the wind while Twiggy continued his purple patch grabbing two wickets in two balls. Betty replaced TK and struck in his first over a great catch by funtime who had to be restrained from attacking the out going batsman. Twiggy then struck again and Betty grabbed one more. Wickets were tumbling all around before two batsman dropped anchor.

TK and Knibbsy joined the attack and it wasn't long before Knibbsy picked up a wicket on his return bowled. The next few overs went for not many runs but not many wickets, then Knibbsy struck again before TK grabbed his first of the game. This left Huncote needing one more wicket for victory and lots of overs remaining. It took about 4 or 5 overs but then Knibbsy once again produced a great ball and for the second week in a row Huncote removed a team for less then 70. Swallows Green 61 all out and a 182 run victory.

A huge margin and the sweet smell of victory was improved by a good BBQ back at the club. Spenny announced after the game he is also going to retire but we need to talk him round as we will need him next year to put in a title challenge!

MOM this week a great team performance but Ross Spencer came good and played some fine shots to produce a quality knock. Hopefully Ross keeps this form for next year.

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Huncote batted first in this match and amounted a big total of over 200 with the big scorers Alan Sommer and Stan Sexton, who both hit fifties.  Stan reached the mark with a huge six into the hedge, on what hopefully isn't his last game for the club.  Everyone else chipped in and a young Ivanhoe side were set a very challenging total.

Tea was taken and Huncote could only manage to take 6 Ivanhoe wickets, as they struggled to 96 runs.  A good bowling performance all round, and a good end to the season, Huncote picking up a solid 13 points, a fantastic BBQ was held up the club, well done to Geoff and the family for organising that.

MOM : Stan Sexton - great batting in what could be this legends swan song for the club.

Leicester Mossdale V Huncote

As the sun set over Leicester Forest East, the cricketers of Leicester Mossdale and Huncote were left a little disappointed and unfulfilled.  With darkness descending on the picturesque ground, both teams’ skippers settled for a draw, in a game that could have gone either way. 

Huncote again won the toss, and skipper Kirby elected to bat on a good looking wicket, and a large lush outfield.  With Jamie Smith out the side, the other Kirby, Tim, opening the batting, joining the silkman Crossley.  The start was a steady until Crossley missed out on a leg stump half volley, which found a way through, removing the leg peg from the ground.  Crossley departed for 10, and was soon followed by Mitch Hubbard, who heaved a straight ball and was bowled.

Tim Kirby and Alan Sommer now had the task of rebuilding the innings, but Kirby followed Hubbard’s lead, departing for a solid 12 runs.  The now faltering innings saw Swann march to the crease, and although he did not manage a run, he built up a partnership with the classy Sommer.  Swann went trying an attacking shot skying high in the air.  Adie Smith joined Sommer at the crease and these two batted extremely well, Smith looking aerial, Sommer stroking the ball round the big outfield.

Adie tried one shot too many and was bowled for 45, the innings well and truly going now.  Frazer Hubbard was caught behind for 1 and this brought the other Sommer to the crease.  Carl soon set about the bowling and was making steady progress, and by now Alan Sommer had past 50 for the first time on Sunday’s this season.  These two pressed on but Alan was bowled for an impressive 61.  Sommer junior continued batting well as Pete Kirby was caught and bowled for his customary duck, and JW Smith bludgeoned an impressive four.  The innings closed on 204 for 8 off the 42 overs, 2 more than usual due to some crazy opposition rules. 

Tea was good, but both young Smith’s seemed to be struggling with injuries, limiting the bowling options.  However Waine Smith took the new ball with his old man John Smith, but the impressive opening batsman looked to score steadily and heavy.  The Huncote bowlers were having trouble restricting the flow of runs until Tim Kirby took a “sharp” catch (see quote of the week) in the gully, removing the first wicket for 60 odd runs. 

The other opener seemed to carry on his merry ways, as Adie now joined the bowling attack.  Adie grabbed a cheap wicket, and Mossdale were looking for a partner for the impressive Pete Smith.  Waine grabbed another couple of wickets, and Tim Kirby spun into the attack, but was blasted back out of it.  Then, with the score at 150-4 with 8 overs remaining, the darkness had well and truly set it, both teams decided on a draw.  Pete Smith was left not out in the 80s, and had looked good against the quality bowling of Waine, Adie and JW Smith. 

MOM : Alan Sommer, sublime batting, rolling back the years once again.