After a hot week Huncote arrived at bottom of the table Walton looking for their 3^rd win of the season, a significant one at that as it would mean Jamie Smith owing Betty & TK £20 each after a pre season bet!! The track looked good and the weather looked like following suit. Silk won the toss and elected to field first. As usual TK and Knibbsy opened the bowling and it wasn’t long before Knibbsy made the first breakthrough finding the batsmans edge for Betty to some would say ‘fluke the catch at 2^nd slip’. Next over and Walton were two down as TK bowled their number 3 between his legs middle stump. The game found a rhythm now with not many runs being scored and no more wickets falling for a few overs.

The next wicket came in the 15^th over, TK had now resulted to his ever improving off spin and got two wickets in an over both bowled, much to Becks relief as one of the batsman had just carted him for 10 the previous over. Becks making his debut was a bit wayward with the ball but showed good pace and managed to hit one of their batsman in the face, special mention must go here to DJ Mitch who showed good sportsmanship and held the batsman gloves and bat as he got his helmet. Do it for the Jubiglee Mitch. Betty replaced Becks up the hill and bowled a good tight line picking up a couple of wickets along the way. Knibbsy replaced TK for a few overs as TK and Betty changed ends, in his 2^nd over back TK picked up another wicket his fourth and Huncote were looking on target for restricting Walton to a low score.

Although there was some good bowling the fielding standard was poor with lots of catches being dropped, TK the main culprit with three off of his own bowling preceding to break one of his fingers in the process. Well back to the action and TK continued his purple patch taking the few remaining wickets to finish with career best figures of 20 overs 7 wickets 55 runs. Walton restricted to 154 off of 44 overs.

For once the away tea was of good quality and the Huncote boys soon ate all the food available to them maybe a good tactic by Walton to fill us up so we cant play?? Silk and Max opened the batting, Silk got a life off of the first ball as he was dropped at mid off. He didn’t last long after that as he was run out for the second week in a row this time for 5. Betty joined Swords and they put on a steady partnership, Max had picked out a fielder called Wesley who he ran a single to every time!! Good Skills Swords!! Anyway as all to familiar to Swords just as he had made a start he gave his wicket away this time for a stylish 15. Maybe his last ever knock for Huncote but its been a pleasure for some to play with him. Ross came in next and did his usual quick fire runs 6 this week before giving his wicket away. If he learned to stay there longer he would get 50 after 50 maybe one day he will!! PK joined Betty for a good partnership where Betty hit a glorious drive for 4, many including this reporter didn’t know he had that in him. His other 4 was an edge although he claims he meant it!! Betty was eventually given out LBW which he was not best pleased about but 17 for Driver not bad mate!!

In came batting supreme Becks who from the off never looked in danger finding the gaps for runs at will, him and PK were looking really good coasting towards the 4 run an over target until PK charged down the track only to be stumped. 24 for PK a good knock at last he started to show some maturity staying there when runs weren’t coming freely in his early innings. Becks by now was well in and Spenny came and went cheaply before in stepped DK for a great innings, he only got 5 but stayed there and gave Becks the strike, eventually getting out LBW with 4 runs needed for victory and 9 balls remaining. TK joined the fray, defending the first one getting a bye off the next one leaving Becks on strike, 7 balls 3 runs needed. Many would have expected Becks to run the single but with TK backing up half way down the track Becks preceded to come down the wicket and nail the ball over the infield to deep mid wicket for 4 runs. Victory for Huncote, Becks unbeaten on 49 and a 2 wicket success!!

MOM: 2 good performances Becks with 49no but with 7 wickets TK just shades it this week. Next week sees the visit of Swallows Green to the fortress where Huncote will look to build on their good early form.

After losing the toss again Woodhouse asked Huncote to bat first with Jamie & Frank opening the batting, Jamie was first out mistiming his shot and skying it back to the bowler. Alan joined Frank and helped the score along with some good shots and quick running between the wickets then Frank was out with score on 60 also caught. Eddie came in and after a few singles hit a massive straight six after the shot he was checking to see if his new bat was still in one piece.

Alan was next out stumped from ten yards back by the keeper coming in he said "I knew I needed to get back in my crease but my legs wouldn't move " Eddie continued to score with various partners until he was run out for 41 by Geoff who hit the ball straight back to the bowler who broke the stumps with Eddie stranded down the wicket chasing a quick single. Huncote finished their innings on 152-7 wickets. After tea Woodhouse began their innings with Huncote knowing James Brewin had to go at 6pm things didn't look good when Geoff dropped their opener off Brews first over (it was a dolly) still he made amends when he caught him a few overs later off JW who the had the other opener caught by Frank.

Wickets came at regular intervals throughout the innings highlight being Ross Matthews catch his whole family had gathered to watch him play but missed the catch because they were talking to each other (never mind Ross). Woodhouse were eventually all out for 96 in the 38th over with Eddie taking 5 wickets and JW taking 4.

M.O.M. EDDIE STRATFORD

What an emotional day at the home of cricket, Huncote Sports and Social club.  Tears flowed nearly as much as the runs as Huncote said goodbye to the amazing, excellent servant Matthew Power Swords.  His three years at the club have for many been the highlight of the early season mediocrity.  Added to that was perhaps the last sighting for many of cricket and football supreme Chrisey Ellerbecks, whose cricketing stint was short but wielded two scores of 49 not out and 9 not out, both times hitting the winning runs!!  But back to the vintage Swords, he will be missed by all the players at the club (and some of the fans!!!).  Last word to Frazer Hubbard who commented "I hate you Matty!"  Don't we all Frazer.

Back to the game, and what a beauty, skipper Peter Kirby lost the toss and was invited to field.  In the hot sun a strong Huncote side oozed class taking some good catches (Swanny, Pete Kirby and Matty Swords), and some very tidy bowling.  Everyone one had a go except Geoff Farmer, sorry mate!, even DJ Mitch Hubbard who gave up the gloves to Ellerbeck half way through the innings.  Ball of the day to Pete Kirby who turned one miles from outside leg stump to bowl a very bemused Willaby batsman.  He was not as shocked as the Huncote team whose confidence in the skippers bowling could be termed a little shaky.

Swanny and JW Smith both bowled a very tidy opening spell, Ellerbecks was neat, Tim Kirby bowled a good spell taking three wickets, but a little expensive, Swords was his usual disciplined self, bowling 4 good overs, Mitch Hubbard tried his best, Ben Crossley outshone his old man taking two wickets, and that was that.   Willaby finished on 152-7.  Strewth once again supplied the tea goods, another excellent effort, great stuff, fantastic trifle, melons a bit small.

A confident away outfit took to the field not counting on the class of the Huncote order.  Crossley and Tim Kirby opened, Crossley hitting a brisk 20 from 40 balls (great work on the ball counting from the legendary scorer), before being caught at short midwicket.  Next came Swords who was caught behind third ball for an unlucky duck, Geoff Farmer some followed suit bowled by a shooter for 0.  Tim Kirby was providing the goods at the other end and a collapse was never on the cards once he was joined by the reliable Alan Sommer.  Kirby was next out for a mammoth innings of 46 from 123 balls, lasting 110 minutes, take about a good linchpin innings.  Alan was joined by the talented James Swann in what was becoming an exciting run chase.

Swanny made a spirited 4 from 7 balls before being bowled by another low one.  Hubbard strode to the crease looking to impress the visiting young lady known to some as Lisa?!?  He then preceded to run Alan out for 28, good work the DJ.  Next in was the unstoppable Chris Ellerbeck and this partnership saw the team home in the last over, Becks hitting the winning runs, Hubbard not out for 19 runs.  Another win for the Huncote Sunday massive, and a good performance all round.

MOM : - Matty Swords - some are more sad to see him go than others!!!!!