Huncote CC 1^st XI V Burbage

Huncote’s 8^th game of the season saw a top of the table clash at Burbage. A 3 o’clock start was scheduled so as not to clash with the mighty England’s win over Denmark. Luckily extra time was not needed so we didn’t miss any of the game!!

Anyway Burbage won the toss and put Huncote into bat on a green track with a rain forest for an outfield. Scoring was tough as a middled shot barely got off the track if it was hit along the deck. Frank and Ian opened and were looking good before Frank pulled the ball straight to one of their fielders. Swords came in at 3 and looked better then usual before lobbing the ball back to the bowled off of a leading edge!! In the quest for quick runs Ross came to the crease and soon hit the first four of the game through midwicket. Two overs later and Ross hit another nig six before once again giving his wicket away as he was getting going. Spenny senior joined Silk and these two kept the runs coming before some crazy running saw the skipper run out for 37. Pete Lill joined the game looking to get in the runs for this season. Unfortunately he didn’t last long and PK came to the crease. Now the fireworks really started, Spenny preceded to hit 3 sixes and a four off two overs, one of the sixes cleared the pavilion and 40 yards further. Huncote were setting a big target for a reduced overs game. Eventually Spenny got bowled off of the penultimate ball going for another big hit. Knibbsy joined PK for the last ball where PK got needlessly run out giving Burbage an extra point. Huncote 145-7 off of 39 overs looked a good score.

A disappointing tea was taken and Huncote took the field with TK and Knibbsy opening the bowling. In the 5^th over TK struck getting their left-handed opener caught behind. In a tight spell both opening bowlers kept the scoring down, TK got a second wicket caught by Ross after Golden Balls Pete Lill had juggled the ball to him at 1^st slip. Knibbsy got one stumped and one bowled giving Huncote a good start to their defence. Betty replaced TK and although he was slightly more expensive he chipped in with three wickets at a good strike rate. Burbage limped to 100-8 and the top of the table team were outplayed by an ever-improving Huncote XI.

MOM Spenny just for those big hits.

A below strength Huncote friendly team took to this football restricted 35 over friendly without star men such as Geoff Farmer, Carl Sommer or JW Smith.  Still the replacements Ben Crossley and Eddie Stratford did the team proud.  The return of batsman Jamie Smith also helped.  On a wet wicket due to overnight rain, Old Mills skipper decided to have a bat and Huncote took to the field.  Tim Kirby and Stratford opened the bowling  and the batsman put on a good stand before Frazer Hubbard produced some neat work to gain a stumping from Eddie Stratford.

This was repeated exactly for the second wicket and Huncote started to impose themselves on the game.   Young Swanny and old man Crossley tied the batsman down with some excellent line and length, bowling to their field, and Huncote restricted Old Mills to 127-8 from their 35 overs.  Brewin came on to bowl fell picking up a couple, but the star was Eddie Stratford who finished with 4 wickets.

Another great Strewth tea meant the Huncote openers Jamie Smith and Crossley went out in good spirits.  They then contrived to hit the Mills bowlers to all parts putting on a massive 115 run opening partnership before Smith was run out for 39.   This feat was more amazing considering the standard of bowling.  Max Swords came in and finished the game in style, smashing a six to win.  Crossley ended on 72 not out and this was an impressive win with overs to spare.

MOM : Eddie Stratford - a great opening spell of bowling.