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.