Huncote 1^st V Swallows Green – Losing draw for Huncote

A grudge match at the home of cricket, Huncote Sports and Social Club.  On a hot day and a good looking track, Crossley won the toss and elected to field.  This is the safe option in this form of league cricket, but can prove a big disappointment.  Huncote bowled with their usual spirit, and fielded with the usual enthusiasm, but the Swallows Green batsman replied by getting stuck in.  Some bizarre batting proved effective and an early breakthrough was not looking to happen.  Knibbs came and went and the first wicket only fell when opener Tim Kirby changed to his off spin.  Mitch Hubbard followed in his old man’s footsteps gaining a good stumping.

Runs continued to flow despite the fall of a few wickets, the highlight being a sharp catch in the gully by Matty Adcock from the bowling of Driver.  Tim Kirby picked up another wicket, as did Brian Driver, but the star bowler was Ross Spencer who picked up 3 wickets with a combination of effective slower balls and full tosses.  Swallows finished on 184-6 and a good looking total.  Teas were great again and Huncote were fired up for their innings.  Unfortunately this did not appear to have the desired effect.  Pete Lill edged behind, Ian Crossley was caught LBW, Ross and Carl Spencer both bowled.  Things were looking bad at 20-4 when Driver was joined at the crease by debutant Danny Adcock.

The two put on a solid partnership in the face of some probing bowling. Adcock junior was then unlucky to deflect the ball on to his stumps for a useful 20, and things looked decidedly dodgy again for Huncote.  Hubbard came in a smashed a quick 15 before being caught, so Peter Kirby joined Driver at the crease for the last 17 overs with the side 6 down.  These two dug in for the draw eventually playing out the overs for a score of 113-6, Peter Kirby top scoring with 29 not out, overtaking Driver, who’s 25 not out of 37 overs had the desired effect.

Some banter between the two sides was all in good spirits, and the game ended in the draw.  A poor result for Huncote but they will battle on. 

8 WICKET WIN FOR THE SECONDS 

Eddie lost the toss again!!! and Ivanhoe elected to bat first with the seconds showing one change from last week Rikki Swann replacing Jon Beeching. JW and James Brewin opened the bowling Ivanhoe went off like a train scoring freely off some average bowling J W struck first with Geoff taking a slip catch to dismiss the opener with yhe score on 46 after only ten overs. James then struck claiming his first wicket in his 7th over of his marathon stint of 23 overs which saw him claim 4-71.

 Eddie was the only other bowler used on the day Ivanhoe finished on 160 all out off their 47 overs with James and Frank each taking 2 catches each. Huncote opened with Frank and Jamie and started slowly with extras out scoring them both Jamie was first to go bowled round his legs for 4 Frank then edged a catch to the stumper and was out for 11 this brought together Alan and Eddie with the score on 50 off 13overs they both played their shots and started the quick ? running between the wickets the score was edging along nicely but was having its toll on the batsmen.

Alan calf injury Eddie thigh muscle the quick singles became only if the ball went out to the boundary. The physio (Frank) was called out to the middle a few times to administer treatment to both (not a pretty sight when Eddie dropped his trousers infront of Frank), anyway these two saw Huncote past the target with 5 overs to spare Alan ending on 68 not out and Eddie on 37 not out.

MOM  ALAN SOMMER

Huncote 200-6 (M.Hubbard 72*) Beat Leicester Taverners 103 All Out by 100 runs

Another game, another win for the Huncote massive.  A hastily put together outfit met late challengers the Taverners with a positive spirit and a MacDonald’s inside them.  Pete Kirby won the toss and elected to bat on an indifferent looking wicket.  Jamie Keith Smith returned to the starting lineup and opened along side Crossley.  The two made steady starts before Jamie tried one shot too many and was bowled for 25.  Tim Kirby joined Crossley at the wicket, but the Silkman Crossley was soon caught out, also making 25 runs.

Kirby and Matty Adcock steadied the ship and the score was ticking over before Adcock was bowled for an enterprising 12 runs.  Little did everyone know that this brought the destroyer to the crease, dynamite Mitch Hubbard proceeded to smash the ball to all parts!  Kirby made 22 before being run out, which brought Ben Crossley to the crease.  A superb knock from the lad for 12. Hubbard continued to smash the ball to the boundary and Peter Kirby watched from the other end as the score board ticked on.  Kirby then was caught out for a small 7 and Geoff made 1 not out, but Hubbard was the star hitting a massive 72 not out.

Nice tea, then the bowling and fielding, which proved too good for the Taverners.  Waine Smith took 1, his old man JW 3 before the spinners were deployed.  All eleven players had a bowl and wickets went to Geoff “Saqlain” Farmer (2), George Crossley, Ian Crossley, Jamie Smith, and Matty Adcock.  Particular mention to George who took his first senior wicket at the age of 9!!!

See you next week for more exciting friendly cricket.

MOM : Mitch Hubbard, devastating!