Ben Hancock runs Harpsden to victory

Grey’s Green

G. Butler ct. Birkett b. Greenwood 11
M. Cusden ct. Hodgkiss b. Stevens 15
D. Barclay-Watt ct. Sampson b. Farmar 101
M. Skilleter b. Hodgkiss 31
P. Sims run out 36
Dawkins not out 1
Holyroyd run out 1
Howes not out 2

Extras 26

Total for 6 wkts 224

Best Bowling: Stevens 1 – 20, Greenwood 1 – 29


Harpsden

M. Hodgkiss ct. Barclay-Watt b. Skilleter 62
R. Harris caught and b. Bhakat 22
R. Birkett b. Skilleter 19
A, Cary ct. sub b. Skilleter 9
W. Stevens ct. Barclay-Watt b. Cusden 26
B. Hancock not out 26
T. Sampson b. Skilleter 22
T. Nugent caught and b. Skilleter 2
M. Hayward not out 9

Extras 28

Total for 7 wkts 225

Best Bowling: Skilleter 5 – 78


The annual Harpsden fixture against Greys Green took place on a scorching afternoon, with the pitch likely to favour the batsmen. The captains agreed to play a ‘time game’ and hence it was always likely to be a good toss to lose as the toss-winning captain was almost certainly going to, quite rightly, subject his side to a hot afternoon in the sun chasing the ball. Will Stevens won the toss for Harspden and duly elected to field first. Although Geoff Butler and Mick Cusden were in good form from the previous weekend, very tight bowling from Mick Greenwood, and then Will Stevens, tied the batsmen down – and it was ultimately the frustration caused by the tight bowling that accounted for both openers. Despite the fast scoring pitch, Greenwood’s 10 overs went for only 29 and Stevens’ conceded only 20 from his 6 overs. David Barclay-Watt and Matt Skilleter started to re-build although further tight bowling from Tom Nugent and Alfred Cary made things difficult for the batsmen. It was, however, the arrival of Pat Sims that provided the foundation for an acceleration from Greys Green. Barclay-Watt was savage on anything loose and his superb timing brought a well-deserved century just before tea, and it took a good catch from Tom Sampson on the boundary to dismiss him. The other feature of the Greys innings was a superb 70 yard direct hit from Will Stevens to run out Sims.

Having bowled 44 overs at Greys, it was always likely that Harspden would have fewer overs to achieve their target and hence the scoring rate would have to be high from the start. As it turned out, Harspden needed to score at more than 6 runs an over from their 37 overs. Miles Hodgkiss and Rob Harris got off to flyer, being harsh on both the opening bowlers, Bhakat Ahmed and Matt Skilleter. Their 70 run opening partnership was scored at nearly five and a half an over before Bhakat removed Harris. Rod Birkett then came in to join Hodgkiss and helped to push the score along at 6 over before Birkett was out attempting a further acceleration. This dismissal was quickly followed by the end of both Hodgkiss and Alfred Cary and left Harspden at the potentially precarious position of 130 for 4. Will Stevens and Ben Hancock consolidated, pushing the ball around for quick ones and twos but after another good catch at deep mid-off by Barclay-Watt to dismiss Stevens, Hancock found another willing partner in the form of Tom Sampson. A swift 22 from Sampson, followed by the dismissal of Tom Nugent, brought Matt Hayward in to join Hancock. 13 were required from 8 deliveries with 3 wickets left. Matt Hayward brilliantly despatched 2 of his first 3 balls to the boundary, leaving only 3 to win off the last four balls. 3 scampered singles later and Harspden had secured their first victory over Greys Green for 3 years, despite the valiant bowling efforts of Skilleter, after a performance where all the Harspden players made a contribution.

Harpsden vs. Pinkney's Green 2XI

Harpsden met Pinkney’s Green 2XI for a friendly match at Harspden on Saturday. Pinkney’s Green batted first, and James Butler made an immediate breakthrough with his first ball of the season, trapping Narval leg before. Two more wickets fell in quick succession putting Pinkney’s Green firmly on the back foot. A.Rhana and Fox led a mini resurgence before Ed Birkett bowled Rhana with a beautiful delivery. Pinkney’s Green ploughed on steadily, losing wickets at regular intervals, with the best of the scoring coming from D.Rhana’s unbeaten 41 and Anderson’s 35. Special credit must go to leg spinner Matt Hayward, who bowled with great control, taking 2 wickets from his 7 overs. This bowling helped restrict Pinkney’s Green to 162 at tea.

Harpsden came out after tea and got off to a solid start with Ben Hancock (9) and Adam Birkett (24) building a steady platform. Harpsden wickets fell at regular intervals with all the Pinkney’s bowlers restricting the scoring rate. A stand out performance from Taylor, taking 5 wickets from his 15 over spell, meant Harpsden were forced to shut up shop with a few overs remaining. Harpsden finished on a respectable 117 for 8.



Pinkney’s Green

Narval LBW, b. J.Butler 3
Imran c. M.Farmar, b. E.Birkett 3
Fox b. M.Farmar 32
Taylor c. A.Birkett b. J.Butler 2
A.Rhana b. E.Birkett 15
Anderson b. M.Hodgkiss 35
D.Rhana NOT OUT 41
Richards b. M.Hayward 4
Gulfram st. R.Birkett b. M.Hayward 6

Extras 20
Total (for 8 wkts) 162

Best Bowling: M.Hayward 2-21, J.Butler 2-22


Harpsden

B.Hancock c. Fox b. Gulfram 9
A.Birkett LBW b. Taylor 24
W.Stevens c. D.Rhana b. Taylor 12
A.Grimmer LBW b. Taylor 13
J.Wright b. Imran 14
E.Birkett b. Taylor 5
M.Hodgkiss b. Imran 15
R.Birkett b. Taylor 2
M.Hayward NOT OUT 4
M.Farmar NOT OUT 2

Extras 17
Total (8Wkts) 117

Best Bowling: Taylor 5-43, Imran 2-18

President's Match

Chairman XI Vs Presidents XI

Presidents XI 1st Innings 142/10 All Out (Overs 37.3)

A Grimmer c J Bradley b M Hodgkiss 39
Rajeev c R Harris b T Sampson 6
A Balaji c B Hancock b A Cary 18
Mark Thomas b O Heath 3
T Hancock b A Cary 0
K Stormount+ c O Heath b M Hodgkiss 7
I Whittaker c A Cary b M Hodgkiss 19
T Ham c J Bradley b T Sampson 18
M Greenwood* c O Heath b T Sampson 2
T Nugent b W Stevens 2
M Farmer not out 4
extras (b5 lb3 w14 nb2) 24
TOTAL All Out for 142

Chairman XI 1st Innings 143/9 Closed (Overs 37)

A Cary c A Balaji b T Nugent 18
W Stevens* c M Farmer b I Whittaker 28
N Adley c M Greenwood b M Farmer 5
J Bradley c K Stormount b T Hancock 19
R Harris+ c Mark Thomas b T Ham 34
Matt Thomas lbw b I Whittaker 0
O Heath c I Whittaker b T Ham 13
M Hodgkiss b T Hancock 0
B Hancock c K Stormount b T Hancock 0
C Ham not out 11
T Sampson not out 0
extras (b1 lb4 w9 nb1) 15
TOTAL 9 wickets for 143

On a sunny Sunday afternoon the President’s XI won the toss and elected to bat in this 40 over game. Despite the friendly overhead conditions the batsmen found runs hard to come by partly due to the slow and low nature of the pitch but also some tight bowling from Sampson and Hodgkiss. This was backed up from more miserly bowling from Cary and Heath. Grimmer was the main stay of the President’s innings making a well crafted 39. The President’s innings ended on 142 thanks to some great bowling and fielding from the Chairman’s XI.

In response the Presidents XI started well through Cary and Stevens. With the fall of Cary the scoring further increased as Bradley smashed a quick fire 19. At 85 for 3 and Harris and Stevens at the crease drinks were taken, after which a change of tactics yielded rewards for the President’s. Whittaker picked up 2 wickets in 2 balls to change the game, it was further swung in the presidents favour when Tom Hancock picked up the critical wickets of Hodgkiss and brother Ben. With the departure of Harris the Chairman’s XI still required six runs. Batting was Chris Ham and fittingly bowling was son Tom. This time experience won through as one streaky shot brought about a two, and followed it up with a four to take the match and the bragging rights for the next year.

Harpsden v Effigies 12/07/08

Stormont and Hancock Guide Harpsden To Victory

Effigies

A Begg Run Out 30

J Vaughan b Sampson 18

J Grayling c & b Hodgkiss 7

J Kodar st Stormont b Cary 26

A Imlay b Rajeev 26

M Roberts ct Stevens b Cary 4

M Rhodes Not Out 44

T Claridge ct Grimmer b Stevens 8

J Eaton b Sampson 1

C Crooker Not Out 1

TOTAL 181-8

Best Bowling: M Hodgkiss 2-25, T Sampson 2-32

Harpsden

A Cary ct Kodar b Rhodes 24

A Grimmer b Rhodes 31

J Bradley ct Eaton b Rhodes 30

B Hancock Not Out 24

M Thomas c & b Crooker 17

K Stormont Not Out 49

TOTAL 184-4

Best Bowling: Rhodes 3-39, Crooker 1-38

Harpsden entertained Effigies on a spongy wicket in this eagerly anticipated fixture. Effigies got off to a strong start, with Begg timing the ball beautifully. Harpsden made the breakthrough with the score on 42. Thanks to some accurate bowling from Sampson. With the introduction of two new bowlers to the attack, Effigies runs started to dry up. Cary bowled with great control, and was duly rewarded with 2-53 from his thirteen overs. Hodgkiss and Stevens also did a great job with the ball, both finishing with very economical figures, 2-25 for Hodgkiss from seven overs, and 1-18 for Stevens from eight overs. Some hefty hitting at the end of the innings from Rhodes brought Effigies score up to a very competitive 181-8.

Harpsden got off to a strong start, with the openers putting on 50 in the first fourteen overs. Grimmer then fell for a well crafted 31. This brought Bradley to the crease, who wasted no time in dispatching the ball all around the park for a quick 30. Matt Thomas came and went for a brisk 17. This brought Stormont to the crease to join Hancock; Stormont made the decision to finish off the game as quickly as possible, and played some brilliant shots on his way to 49 not out. He was ably supported by Hancock, who played a good supporting role, to finish on 24 not out.