Ham is Great for Harpsden

Harpsden CC met Henley Hockey Club CC this Sunday for a friendly 40 over game in Harpsden. Harpsden won the toss and elected to bat, but got off to a poor start losing Adam Birkett in the very first over of the match. Justin Bradley set about a counter attack and reached 35 in style before being dismissed by R Woolfrey. Miles Hodgkiss, having switched allegiance and playing for the hockey club, bowled economically as always and making 2 important breakthroughs. With Harpsden at 90 for 7 a slump was well and truly on the cards but strong resistance from Ollie Heath and Tom Ham saw Harpsden through to a respectable total of 167 all out in the 38th over.

The Hockey Club struggled to get going thanks to great bowling from Heath, who took two wickets, and Tom Sampson, who’s 6 overs went for just 8 runs. D Hebert was looking good with some strong hitting, and when he fell to a Birkett Jnr and Snr combination the Hockey Club were struggling at 65 for 4. It was the introduction of Harpsden’s third left armer Tom Ham that made the difference though, as he picked up 3 for 12 from just four overs. Credit must also go to 12 year old Toby Stevens who took the last 2 wickets for just 1 solitary run. A good win for Harpsden with the Hockey Club all out for 105, losing by 62 runs.

Harpsden
J.Bradley b. R.Woolfrey 35
A.Birkett RUN OUT 0
A.Norton ct. I.Heggie b. R.Austin 17
W.Stevens b. D.Hebert 17
R.Birkett b. Hodgkiss 6
T.Hancock LBW b. Hodgkiss 4
O.Heath NOT OUT 36
E.Birkett ct. I.Heggie b. R.Woolfrey 0
T.Ham ct. b. R.Woolfrey 15
T.Sampson ct. b. R. Austin 14
T.Stevens ct. b. R.Woolfrey 0
Extras 24
Total 168
Best Bowling: R.Woolfrey 4-29, Hodgkiss 2-23


Hockey Club
D.Austin ct. Ham b. Hancock 18
I.Heggie b. Heath 5
J.Baker b. Heath 4
D.Hebert ct. R.Birkett b. E.Birkett 34
T.Gaze ct. Norton b. Ham 10
M.Woolfrey ct. W.Stevens b. Hancock 9
M.Hodgkiss ct. E.Birkett b. Ham 4
J.Hebert ct. E.Birkett b. Ham 0
C.Balar b. T.Stevens 0
R.Woolfrey NOT OUT 1
R.Austin b. T.Stevens 4
Extras 16
Total 105
Best Bowling: T.Ham 3-12, T.Stevens 2-1

Cane-Hardy outshines Mark Thomas' big-hitting

Harpsden

M. Thomas st. Caston b. Curtis 40
R. Birkett lbw b. Curtis 32
K. Stormont b. Brown 7
A. Norton lbw b. Cane-Hardy 4
S. Imlay ct. Pavey b. Hunt 19
J. Bradley lbw b. Alcock 4
M. Hayward run out 17
T. Hancock not out 11
T. Sampson not out 0

Extras 11

Total for 7 wkts 146

Best Bowling: Curtis 2 - 19


Shiplake College Wanderers

S. Cane-Hardy not out 68
A. Hurst run out 2
T. Caston ct. Farmar b. Sampson 38
J. Hall run out 3
B. Pavey ct. Norton b. Hayward 16
C. Alcock not out 0

Extras 23

Total for 4 wkts 150

Best Bowling: Hayward 1 - 27


Shiplake College Wanderers hosted Harspden for a Friday evening 20/20, seeking revenge for a defeat earlier in the season at Harpsden. Losing the toss was not a good start as it would subject the teachers to batting in the dark against the young Harspden quicks. Despite an opening maiden, Harspden got off to a great start, aided by several big sixes, particularly from Mark Thomas, as he and Rod Birkett put on 71 for the first wicket in 10 overs. A tight bowling spell from Curtis put Harspden on the back foot and nobody really dominated the bowling again until Tom Hancock who came in for the last 5 balls. 146, although competitive, was, at best, only ever going to be just enough.

The run out of Adam Hurst, following some impressive fielding by Sam Imlay, gave Harspden the start they needed, particularly as the Wanderers’ batsmen struggled against the pace and movement of Hancock and Dan Hayden. Cometh the hour, cometh Tom Caston – Tom proceeded to despatch all-comers to all corners and with the measured blade of Simon Cane-Hardy, started to move Shiplake comfortably ahead of the required rate. The departure of Caston and Hall gave Harspden hope, especially as the spinners, Matt Hayward and Mike Farmar, were extracting significant spin and bounce from a good Shiplake College strip. A big six by Pavey, and further quality stroke-play from Cane-Hardy, his 68 coming in only 48 balls, saw Shiplake home with more than an over to spare.

Bryan's century not enough for Harspden

HARPSDEN faced up to the tough challenge of an OXFORD UNI. XI on Sunday, and with fine weather and good players on both sides, a great match was on the cards. The students won the toss and chose to bat, leaving Harspden a hot session in the field. Oxford started well, progressing to 27 before the loss of the first wicket, and after a mini collapse to 65 for 6, the innings hung in the balance. Up stepped Horatio Cary, batting well and aggressively against the bowling of his brother Alfred, who with prodigious spin, took 3 for 35. Horatio finally fell for 47, leaving the students at 158 for 8. Strong hitting from Southan and no. 11 Ashmore got Oxford up to a challenging total of 181, just before tea.

Harpsden came out after tea and were stunned by the bowling of Southan, who started with a wicket maiden and followed it up with a double wicket maiden. This left Harpsden on 7 for 3 and some serious rebuilding was required. Tom Sampson occupied the crease and played a great supporting role to the undoubtable man of the match, Andy Bryan, who batted through the innings, finishing unbeaten on 110. At 94 for 4, a Harpsden win looked possible but tight bowling from Dark Blues opening bowler Ed Morse, and Will Stevens, dispelled those thoughts. The game finished as a exciting draw with Harpsden on 174 for 5 at the close of play.

Oxford Uni. XI

Morse LBW, b. Williams 14
W.Stevens b. Hancock 6
Schneider b. A.Cary 11
Furniss c. Norton, b. A.Cary 5
Lough b. Sampson 3
H. Cary c. R.Birkett, b. T.Hancock 47
Miller RUN OUT 4
Southan b. Williams 33
Fortune c. T.Hancock, b. A.Cary 3
T.Stevens RUN OUT 2
Ashmore NOT OUT 14
Extras 39
Total (all out) 181

Best Bowling: A.Cary 3-35

Harpsden

A.Bryan NOT OUT 110
M.Thomas b. Southan 0
J.Bradley b. Southan 0
M.Hodgkiss c. Morse, b. Southan 0
T.Sampson RUN OUT 17
T.Hancock c. H.Cary, b. W.Stevens 18
A.Norton NOT OUT 8
Extras 21
Total (5 wkts) 174

Best Bowling: Southan 3-19

Harpsden v Ruislip Victoria 7/06/08

Harpsden Lose Out in Tense Encounter

Harpsden

Bryan b Andrew 42

Hodgkiss c&b Andrew 66

Broome b Andrew 11

Sampson c&b Andrew 4

Imlay b Fry 38

Mitchell ct Andrew b F Booth 11

Ham Not Out 9

Rajeev Not Out 19

TOTAL 236-6

Best Bowling: Andrew 4-47, F Booth 1-16

Ruislip Victoria

Tanmay c&b Hodgkiss 82

Pike ct Hodgkiss b Farmar 12

Khan b Hancock 42

F Booth ct Broome b Hodgkiss 26

Bridger b Hodgkiss 8

Da Costa Not Out 31

J Booth Not Out 10

TOTAL 237-5

Best Bowling: Hodgkiss 3-39, Hancock 1-37

Harpsden won the toss and decided to bat on a beautiful day. Hodgkiss and Bryan started slowly, ending up on 12 without loss after five tight overs from the opening bowlers. The two batsmen then accelerated, and at drinks were well established in there innings. Hodgkiss reached his half century soon after, with his typical array of good strokes. Bryan fell soon after for a very well played 42. This also brought to an end a brilliant century partnership between the two batsmen. Broome came to the crease to join Hodgkiss with the score on 109 off 20 overs. Broome and Hodgkiss fell in quick succession to bring old campaigner, Imlay, and youngster, Mitchell together. Imlay was timing the ball brilliantly all round the park, and eventually fell soon after Mitchell for a vital 38. Rajeev and Ham brought the score to 236-6 off Harpsdens allocated 40 overs. With some lusty blows, especially from Rajeev, who hit one massive six over mid wicket.

Ruislip Victoria started off cautiously and eventually payed the price, with Pike caught by Hodgkiss off the bowling of Farmar. Tanmay and Khan then built a very solid partnership, with Tanmay passing fifty along the way. The partnership was brought to an end with a brilliant piece of spin bowling from Hancock, bowling Khan through the gate. Booth then hit some powerful shots around the ground before he fell for 26, this ensured there would be a tight finish. Ruislip Victoria got home with one ball to spare, despite the best efforts of Hodgkiss, who claimed 3-39.

Harpsden really payed for there simple errors in the field, however credit must be given to Ruislip Victoria, who batted strongly throughout there innings.

Agony for Harpsden as British Airways cruise to 1 run victory

Harpsden met a British Airways XI for a 40 over match at Harpsden’s ground on Sunday. British Airways were put into bat and started well. It took a great return catch from Tom Hancock to dismiss Sid, who had batted smoothly for his 15. Suddenly the pressure was on, and two wickets in two balls for Williams really put the brakes on for a while. Salim came to the crease with 5 wickets having fallen and a big partnership was needed. He started well and accelerated quickly hitting the bowlers to all parts with several massive sixes. Other good contributions came from Ali Khan and Jason, with 30 and 26 respectively. The pick of the bowlers was definitely the ever-reliable Miles Hodgkiss, who bowled 8 overs for 15 runs.

After tea, the Harpsden opening pair came out positively knowing 210 could be chased down with one short boundary. It was Horatio Cary who started the brighter of the pair, with Matt Thomas in all sorts of trouble. Thomas soon spluttered into life though, after being dropped, and sped on to 48, including 8 fours, before being caught attempting a hook shot. BA then got a team hatrick when Ali Khan got two wickets and then Rajeev was run out on the hatrick ball. Tom Hancock and Alfred Cary came together with the score at 119 for 6 and a win looked unlikely. The partnership was cautious but rapidly accelerated with both of them hitting sixes before Hancock got run out amidst some extreme confusion. Williams came and went and with him potentially Harpsden’s chance of winning but a six from Balaji in the last over meant Harpsden needed 4 runs from 4 balls with 9 wickets down. 2 runs needed off 2 balls and the Harpsden boys dared to hope but a catastrophic run out left Harpsden 2 runs short of victory, all out on the penultimate ball. British Airways XI win, but by just 1 run.

British Airways XI

Sid c. & b. T. Hancock 15
Rahim b. Williams 10
Azam b. T. Hancock 29
Tarosh b. Williams 0
Jason RUN OUT 26
Ali Khan NOT OUT 30
Salim b. Hodgkiss 73
Mohat NOT OUT 5
Extras 22
Total (6 wickets) 210

Best Bowling: T.Hancock 2-24, Williams 2-27

Harpsden

H. Cary b. Ali Khan 29
Matt Thomas c. Jason b. Torash 48
A. Norton b. Ali Khan 12
J. Broome b. Ali Khan 0
Rajeev RUN OUT 0
M. Hodgkiss c. Azam b. Ali Khan 6
T. Hancock RUN OUT 46
A. Cary c. & b. Azam 26
H. Williams c. Sid b. Azam 3
Balaji RUN OUT 22
T. Ham NOT OUT 2
Extras 15
Total (all out)` 209

Best Bowling: Ali Khan 4-28, Azam 2-32

Tom Nugent steals the show for Harpsden

After a week of heavy rain, Harpsden met Reading Lawyers at Harpsden's picturesque but somewhat soggy ground. The week of weather had taken it's toll on the strip which was uncharacteristically slow. Tom Sampson started well, bowling a tight opening spell of 1 for 14 off eight overs, but in truth he deserved better. At the other end Alfred Cary helped to tie up the runs, although Symons refused to be easily budged. Symons' 36, with the support of 20s from Clift and Griffiths, helped Reading Lawyers up to a respectable total of 142 all out just before tea. Hodgkiss cleaned up the tail well, returning figures of 4 for 32, although the pick of the bowlers was 13 year old Tom Nugent, who bowled both with great pace and patience when needed. He finished with well deserved figures of 3 for 28 off 10 irresistible overs.

After Mrs. Sampson's excellent tea, there was a question whether Harpsden would be able to get going quickly. Some lusty front foot blows from Rob Harris got Harpsden off to the start they wanted, with Tom Mitchell ably assisting at the other end. It took an unplayable one from Seymour to bowl Harris, but not before he raced to 29. Ian Nugent and Rod Birkett both came and went after they had made good starts but there was a dampener to the occasion when young Chris Welford collapsed with a suspected dislocated knee cap. He went off to hospital and our best wishes go to him for a speedy recovery. This wasn't the only Harpsden injury though, Ian Nugent and Tom Sampson both pulled up with hamstring problems which. Miles Hodgkiss looked to have steered Harpsden home but was dismissed by Lake to leave Harpsden needing 4 to win with the last batsmen at the crease. Number 10 Tom Nugent, who had performed so well with the ball, stepped up to the plate smashing a four to win Harpsden the game by the narrowest of margins, and leave himself on 22 not out.


Reading Lawyers

M. Symons ct. T.Nugent b. Hodgkiss 36
J. Woodsmith ct. Farmar b. Sampson 3
M. Burrows ct. I. Nugent b. T. Nugent 6
A. Cobb b. Welford 0
W. Lake lbw b. Birkett 11
T. Clift ct.Cary b. Hodgkiss 20
N. Burrows lbw b. T. Nugent 12
P. Griffiths not out 20
S. James ct. I. Nugent b. Hodgkiss 2
A. Gupta ct. sub (A. Birkett) b. T. Nugent 16
M. Seymour b. T. Nugent 0

Extras 16

Total All Out 142

Best bowling: Hodgkiss 4 for 32, T. Nugent 3 for 28


Harpsden

R. Harris b. Seymour 29
T. Mitchell ct. Griffiths b. Gupta 6
I. Nugent lbw b. M. Burrows 17
I. Whittaker ct. Clift b. Gupta 6
R. Birkett lbw b. Lake 21
A. Cary ct. Cobb b. Gupta 0
C. Welford retired hurt 0
M. Hodgkiss ct. Griffiths b. Lake 28
T. Sampson ct. Cobb b. Lake 4
T. Nugent not out 22
M. Farmar not out 0

Extras 12

Total for 8 wickets 145

Best Bowling: Lake 3 for 17, Gupta 3 for 49