Falkland 4th's Vs Harpsden Sat

Falkland 4th's 1st Innings 190/8 Closed (Overs 40)
S Trumper* b A Birkett 72
G Parker-Hodds+ b M Hodgkiss 1
J Ashworth b Hepburn 8
B Gilmour lbw b A Birkett 9
P Fox b R Birkett 28
B Thomas b W Stevens 30
T Ridley b Hepburn 10
R Stephenson b W Stevens 0
S Strachan Not Out 2
M Richardson Not Out 3
Extras (b5 lb7 w15 nb0) 27
TOTAL 8 wickets for 190

Harpsden Sat 1st Innings 190/9 Closed (Overs 40)
M Greenwood c&b M Richardson 12
R Harris Run Out 0
D Hayden c G Parker-Hodd b M Richardson 0
W Stevens* b S Strachan 56
G Hepburn b T Ridley 24
A Imlay c S Grimmond b B Thomas 6
M Hodgkiss b R Stephenson 33
A Birkett c&b S Strachan 8
R Birkett b T Ridley 22
R Moyle+ Not Out 6
W Carlise Not Out 4
Extras (b9 lb3 w5 nb2) 19
TOTAL 9 wickets for 190

A ten man Harpsden team traveled to Falkland on Saturday and chose to field first on what looked to be a hard true track. Falkland made a very cautious start to this 40 over game. This was due in no small part to the extraordinary bowling performance of Miles Hodgkiss who returned figures 8-5-3-1. The other Harpsden bowlers bowled tightly but the Falkland skipper Trumper battled on and finally started to cut loose with the introduction of the spinners. By contrast the introduction of the Harpsden skipper Stevens to the attack further increased the scoring rate. Falkland looked as though they were going to score 200 plus but Adam Birkett did well to steam the flow of runs and hold the score to 190.

In response Harpsden made a disastrous start with Harris being run out in the first over whilst not looking where the ball was. Their suffered a further set back when Hayden was caught attempting to hook and Greenwood was dismissed whilst looking good in the unfamiliar role of opening batsman. At 32-3 Harpsden were in desperate need of a partnership, and found it with Hepburn and Stevens consolidating at first and later striking the ball more confidently. Hepburn fell for a big hitting 24 and was later followed by Stevens of 56. With still 65 to win and only 4 wickets left Harpsden looked to be heading for defeat but first Hodgkiss and later Rod Birkett were able to keep up with the rate and keep Harpsden in with a chance. With the demise of Hodgkiss, Moyle strode to the crease in confident mood with his recent promotion form his regular number 11 spot. Entering the last over Harpsden needed 7 to win and after two quick singles Birkett aimed one more blow to the boundary unfortunately the ball failed to bounce and crept under his bat and onto the stumps. With a borrowed number 11 strolling to the crease Harpsden did not feel particularly confident about their chances and this seemed well placed as the next two balls missed the bat by a good distance. But the doubters were proved wrong as the final ball sailed to the boundary to secure the tie.