Harpsden vs Old Josephians

Harpsden entertained Old Josephians to a 35 over match and although they lost Tom Hancock in the third over, Jack Broome and Will Stevens managed to push the run rate along at nearly 6 an over before the latter fell to on-loan Harspden junior, Johnny Wright. After Rod Birkett succumbed to a leading edge, his 14 year old son came to the wicket to join the increasingly rampant Broome. Broome and Adam Birkett put on 107 before Jack unselfishly decided to retire in the 27th over following a chanceless knock of 120 which included 3 sixes and 17 fours. The departure of Broome brought no respite for the London-based team as Ben Hancock wasted no time in making a quickfire and hard-hitting 46. All that was left was for Harpsden to set the visitors a massive 277 to win in 35 overs and Dan Hayden to coax Adam Birkett to his second Harpsden 50.

Harpsden, opening with the leg-spin of 15 year old James Thomson and the speed of 14 year old Tom Nugent, caused significant problems for the Old Josephian openers putting them well behind the required rate in the early overs as they both bowled with great control. The loss of both De Cruz and Mitcher brought about a significant change in the game as Bennett and Kitchener batted with real confidence and started to go about chasing down Harpsden's massive total. Tight bowling from Miles Hodgkiss, Will Stevens and his younger brother Toby, meant the touring side were always well behind the required rate, and despite some big hitting late on by Bennett, they were never in the hunt.

Harpsden

T.Hancock Caught Peacock b. O’Donnahoe 6
J.Broome Retired 120
W.Stevens Caught Kitchener b. Wright 19
R.Birkett Caught Mitcher b. Kitchener 17
A.Birkett Not Out 51
B.Hancock Caught De Cruz b. Grinrod 46
T.Nugent Caught Bennett b. Kitchener 0
D.Hayden Not Out 7
Extras 10
Total: for 5 wkts 276
Best Bowling: Kitchener 2 for 41

Old Josephians

De Cruz lbw Thomson 7
Mithcer Caught T. Stevens b. T.Nugent 15
Bennett Not Out 151
Kitchener Not Out 50
Extras 12
Total: for 2wkts 235

Best Bowling: Nugent 1 for 25