On a burning hot Saturday afternoon Harpsden CC & Benedick CC played out a fascinating draw with more swings in it than the local playground. There was no surprise when Harpsden won the toss and elected to bat first. Toby Stevens and Rob Harris opened the Harpsden innings and were soon into their stride as both batsmen struck boundaries in the opening overs. Benedick’s fort back however with two wickets in two balls from Northcott, the skipper. The fielders closed in on the new batsman for the hat trick ball but were left disappointed as the ball troubled the wicketkeeper more than the batsman.
Tom Hancock in his first game of the season showed some signs of a return to form in a well constructed 25. However both he and Bradley were to fall to good pieces of bowling by Pascoe. With two further wickets falling Harpsden were in serious need of rebuilding fortunately for them Hodgkiss and B.Hancock were up to the task. With caution at first and aggression later in their innings the scoreboard began to tick over. Hancock was to fall to the returning Pascoe, who was the pick of the Benedick bowling attack, for a precious 29. Hodgkiss went on to complete his half century having found support lower in the order from Birkett and Deville.
With Harpsden having made 204 from their 41 overs Benedick’s started their chase well with Acworth and on loan Harpsden Skipper Will Stevens taking full advantage of the lightning fast outfield. However when Toby Stevens began steaming in to his elder brother on a pitch that was starting to misbehave the Benedick pair did well to survive the opening salvo.
Acworth was particularly brutal on anything outside off stump as time and again Harpsden watched the ball disappear over the boundary. When he fell for 40 the Benedick’s total had reached 79 and Benedick’s looked on course to reach their target. As the final twenty overs of the game commenced two further wickets had fallen and 120 runs were required and the game hung in the balance.
Stevens had been steadily accumulating runs as he watched partners come and go, but unfortunately the long hot day in the field had taken their toll as he began to run out of energy. Caswell did his best to keep his partner moving but with Harpsden ringing the boundaries run scoring became an impossible task. Stevens was finally dismissed hit wicket having fallen back toward his stumps.
With the rate still only at 7 an over Harpsden turn once again to Toby Stevens who bowled a very tight couple of overs to effectively save the game for Harpsden. Benedicks did their best to still reach the target but with 14 runs required from the last 5 balls a win seemed impossible to achieve. But with Pascoe crashing a huge six of with a ball to go the impossible was still achievable. Unfortunately it was not to be as Benedick CC ended their 37 overs on 201-6 just four runs short of victory.
Harpsden
T.Stevens ct Burtt b Northcott 10
R.Harris ct b Burtt 38
P.Sayers b Northcott 0
T.Hancock b Pascoe 25
J.Bradley b Pascoe 2
M.Hodgkiss Not Out 53
M.Greenwood b W.Stevens 0
B.Hancock b Pascoe 29
R.Birkett ct b Burtt 16
M.Devile Not Out 8
Extras 23
Total 204
Benedick CC
W.Stevens Hit Wicket b Harris 86
Acworth b b T.Hancock 40
Hunt ct b R.Birkett 7
Bentley ct b Sayers 17
Burtt ct b Sayers 2
Caswell ct b Hodgkiss 30
Pascoe Not Out 16
Northcott Not Out 2
Extras 1
Total 201
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
President triumphs in close encounter
The annual President's XI vs. Chairman's XI cricket match took place this year on the same day as England were to take on Germany. As a result the game started early so we could watch the match during the tea break. The Chairman's XI, captained by Will Stevens, won the toss and choose to bowl first. The innings were split in two, with each team having 20 overs before and after tea.
The Chairman's XI got off to a great start with tight bowling from Johnny Wright and Ian Brown, with Wright dismissing the dangerous Burtt, all be it thanks to a superb catch in the gulley by Ben Hancock. Andy Bryan held the innings together and when the first session came to a close the President's XI were 125-4. In reply the Chairman's XI started slowly losing Jack Broome, Sam Imlay and Andy Norton early on. Bradley and Tom Hancock steadied the ship, batting through till tea, and reached 67-3.
Having indulged in the afternoon bbq and watched England's somewhat disappointing performance the President's XI resumed on 125-4. However the wickets tumbled with Tom Hancock taking 4 and the President's XI finishing 175 all out after 37 of their 40 overs completed.
The Chairman's XI needed 100 to win from their remaining 20 overs with 7 wickets in hand so the President's XI needed wickets. The Chairman's XI lost 4 wickets in quick succession and the rebuilding was left to the Hancock brothers who got close to the target. Johnny Wright continued the good work before being run out for the ninth wicket. Rod Birkett and Ian Brown put on around 15 for the last wicket to get within 4 runs of victory, however Toby Stevens dismissed Brown leaving the President elated and the Chairman inconsolable.
President's XI
N.Sweet ct. & b. T.Hancock 35
P.Burtt ct. B.Hancock b. J.Wright 4
A.Grimmer RUN OUT 26
A.Bryan b. T.Hancock 37
M.Hodgkiss b. B.Hancock 5
A.Imlay ct. J.Wright b. W.Stevens 16
T.Stevens ct. B.Hancock b. W.Stevens 0
E.Birkett ct. B.Hancock b. W.Stevens 9
O.Heath NOT OUT 5
C.Welford b. T.Hancock 8
C.Cracknell ct. G.Hepburn b. T.Hancock 1
Sub Total 146
Extras 29
Total (10wkts) 175
Best Bowling: T.Hancock 4-16, W.Stevens 3-23.
Chairman's XI
J Broome ct. A.Bryan b. C.Cracknell 7
S.Imlay ct. & b. C.Cracknell 5
A.Norton b. O.Heath 1
J.Bradley ct. E.Birkett b. M.Hodgkiss 20
T.Hancock ct. C.Cracknell b. C.Welford 43
G.Hepburn ct. N.Sweet b. C.Cracknell 2
W.Stevens ct. A.Grimmer b. C.Cracknell 0
B.Hancock lbw b. P.Burtt 19
J.Wright RUN OUT 20
R.Birkett NOT OUT 13
I.Brown ct. M.Hodgkiss b. T.Stevens 4
Sub Total 134
Extras 37
Total (10wkts) 171
Best Bowling: C.Cracknell 4-44.
The Chairman's XI got off to a great start with tight bowling from Johnny Wright and Ian Brown, with Wright dismissing the dangerous Burtt, all be it thanks to a superb catch in the gulley by Ben Hancock. Andy Bryan held the innings together and when the first session came to a close the President's XI were 125-4. In reply the Chairman's XI started slowly losing Jack Broome, Sam Imlay and Andy Norton early on. Bradley and Tom Hancock steadied the ship, batting through till tea, and reached 67-3.
Having indulged in the afternoon bbq and watched England's somewhat disappointing performance the President's XI resumed on 125-4. However the wickets tumbled with Tom Hancock taking 4 and the President's XI finishing 175 all out after 37 of their 40 overs completed.
The Chairman's XI needed 100 to win from their remaining 20 overs with 7 wickets in hand so the President's XI needed wickets. The Chairman's XI lost 4 wickets in quick succession and the rebuilding was left to the Hancock brothers who got close to the target. Johnny Wright continued the good work before being run out for the ninth wicket. Rod Birkett and Ian Brown put on around 15 for the last wicket to get within 4 runs of victory, however Toby Stevens dismissed Brown leaving the President elated and the Chairman inconsolable.
President's XI
N.Sweet ct. & b. T.Hancock 35
P.Burtt ct. B.Hancock b. J.Wright 4
A.Grimmer RUN OUT 26
A.Bryan b. T.Hancock 37
M.Hodgkiss b. B.Hancock 5
A.Imlay ct. J.Wright b. W.Stevens 16
T.Stevens ct. B.Hancock b. W.Stevens 0
E.Birkett ct. B.Hancock b. W.Stevens 9
O.Heath NOT OUT 5
C.Welford b. T.Hancock 8
C.Cracknell ct. G.Hepburn b. T.Hancock 1
Sub Total 146
Extras 29
Total (10wkts) 175
Best Bowling: T.Hancock 4-16, W.Stevens 3-23.
Chairman's XI
J Broome ct. A.Bryan b. C.Cracknell 7
S.Imlay ct. & b. C.Cracknell 5
A.Norton b. O.Heath 1
J.Bradley ct. E.Birkett b. M.Hodgkiss 20
T.Hancock ct. C.Cracknell b. C.Welford 43
G.Hepburn ct. N.Sweet b. C.Cracknell 2
W.Stevens ct. A.Grimmer b. C.Cracknell 0
B.Hancock lbw b. P.Burtt 19
J.Wright RUN OUT 20
R.Birkett NOT OUT 13
I.Brown ct. M.Hodgkiss b. T.Stevens 4
Sub Total 134
Extras 37
Total (10wkts) 171
Best Bowling: C.Cracknell 4-44.
Friday, June 25, 2010
We'll be back!
Morgan CC won the toss and elected to bat first on a Sunny Saturday afternoon. Hepburn and Mitchell opened the bowling for Harpsden as the pace spin combination proved to be a good one as the scoreboard barely crept along in the first 10 over. Hepburn was the first to strike with a ball that nipped away and caught the edge Stevens taking the catch at first slip. This brought Khalid to the crease for Morgan and the scoring rate quickly increased as he took the attack to the bowlers.
The introduction of Hodgkiss brought about the customary wicket, Basil losing his off bail. Hodgkiss went on to produce a fine spell of bowling and was rewarded with figures of 5-44. Meanwhile Khalid went about his batting with a good aggression and took full advantage of the short boundary on one side. It was not until the introduction of Paice to the attack that Khalid failed to clear the boundary falling to a catch right on the ropes. The tail wagged with Leslie scoring a somewhat streaky 26 and the late arriving Gray showing why he would have opened that batting had he arrived for the start.
Harpsden having been set the target of 185 to win soon lost their first wicket, as Reissman departed for 4 runs. This was to prove to be a solitary moment of success for Morgan as Grimmer was joined by Broome at the crease. The pair having started cautiously soon accelerated a started to hit boundaries at will. The introduction of the slow bowlers only increased the scoring rate as both batsmen passed their half centuries. Grimmer ended 91 not out and Broome 83 not out and on another day would have been sure to reach three figures.
Morgan CC
Ruben ct W.Stevens b Hepburn 10
Ragu b Hodgkiss 5
Khalid ct W.Stevens b Paice 88
Omar ct Moyle b Hodgkiss 15
Basil b Hodgkiss 2
Usman b W.Stevens 10
Abul b Hodgkiss 4
Sheldon ct Paice b Hodgkiss 0
Steve ct Broome b Paice 6
Leslie bMitchell 26
Gray NOT OUT 9
Extras 10
185
Harpsden
A.Grimmer NOT OUT 91
I.Reissman ct Gray b Usman 4
J.Broome NOT OUT 83
Extras 11
189
The introduction of Hodgkiss brought about the customary wicket, Basil losing his off bail. Hodgkiss went on to produce a fine spell of bowling and was rewarded with figures of 5-44. Meanwhile Khalid went about his batting with a good aggression and took full advantage of the short boundary on one side. It was not until the introduction of Paice to the attack that Khalid failed to clear the boundary falling to a catch right on the ropes. The tail wagged with Leslie scoring a somewhat streaky 26 and the late arriving Gray showing why he would have opened that batting had he arrived for the start.
Harpsden having been set the target of 185 to win soon lost their first wicket, as Reissman departed for 4 runs. This was to prove to be a solitary moment of success for Morgan as Grimmer was joined by Broome at the crease. The pair having started cautiously soon accelerated a started to hit boundaries at will. The introduction of the slow bowlers only increased the scoring rate as both batsmen passed their half centuries. Grimmer ended 91 not out and Broome 83 not out and on another day would have been sure to reach three figures.
Morgan CC
Ruben ct W.Stevens b Hepburn 10
Ragu b Hodgkiss 5
Khalid ct W.Stevens b Paice 88
Omar ct Moyle b Hodgkiss 15
Basil b Hodgkiss 2
Usman b W.Stevens 10
Abul b Hodgkiss 4
Sheldon ct Paice b Hodgkiss 0
Steve ct Broome b Paice 6
Leslie bMitchell 26
Gray NOT OUT 9
Extras 10
185
Harpsden
A.Grimmer NOT OUT 91
I.Reissman ct Gray b Usman 4
J.Broome NOT OUT 83
Extras 11
189
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Harpsden held by Crazies
Crazies Hill managed to preserve their unbeaten start to their season, after thwarting Harpsden on Sunday. Having elected to field, Crazies were soon under pressure as Sweet and Bryan began aggressively, scoring at over 5 an over. R.Noyes and Rechner gradually brought things under control and when Noyes got one to lift, Bryan could only fend it to the diving J.Collis at short forward square. Hurst joined Sweet and together they seemed in little trouble, until Hurst was bowled by a ball which kept low from Noyes.
Harpsden looked in control as Sweet and Norton built on the platform provided, with Sweet passing fifty and looking set for a large score. Crazies’ hopes began to rise as Hanton removed Sweet and Birkett in consecutive overs, either side of Searle bowling Hodgkiss without scoring. However, Norton (77*) found able support, from Wright and Gireesh to lead Harpsden to 223-6.
Crazies’ reply started badly as A.Collis was removed first ball and Scholfield, having already given two chances, was well caught by Birkett to leave Crazies 17-2. Parris and D.Noyes began to rebuild the innings, adding 47 before Parris was run out by a direct hit. Stuart joined Noyes and they brought Crazies back into the match. However, when both fell in consecutive balls and J.Collis followed 4 balls later, Crazies had collapsed to 128-6.
With 9 overs remaining, Crazies dug in for a draw. With R.Noyes and Saunders looking comfortable this looked highly likely. However, the returning Cracknell took 3 wickets to leave Saunders needing to fend off the final over to ensure Crazies secured the draw, finishing on 159-9.
Harpsden
Sweet b Hanton 60
Bryan c J Collis b R Noyes 17
Hurst b R Noyes 21
Norton NOT OUT 77
Hodgkiss b Searle 0
Birkett b Hanton 0
Wright RUN OUT 14
Gireesh NOT OUT 17
Extras 17
TOTAL for 6 223
Rechner 11 – 0 – 56 - 0 R Noyes 9 - 2 - 32 - 2 Parris 6 - 1 - 27 - 0
Hanton 6 - 0 - 31 - 2 Searle 4 - 0 - 28 - 1 J Collis 3 - 0 - 35 - 0
Crazies Hill
D Noyes c Sweet b Ham 56
A Collis c Cracknell b Wright 0
Scholfield c Birkett b Ham 5
W Parris RUN OUT 15
Stuart c Birkett b Hodgkiss 31
Saunders NOT OUT 10
J Collis c & b Hodgkiss 0
R Noyes b Cracknell 17
S Hanton b Cracknell 0
Rechner c Birkett b Cracknell 0
A Searle NOT OUT 0
Extras 25
TOTAL for 9 159
Ham 10 - 1 - 26 – 2 Wright 4 – 1 - 10 - 1 Deville 4 - 0 - 20 - 0
Cracknell 6 - 3 - 18 - 3 Hodgkiss 11 - 3 - 41 – 2 Hurst 3 - 0 - 11 - 0
Bryan 1 - 0 - 17 - 0
Harpsden looked in control as Sweet and Norton built on the platform provided, with Sweet passing fifty and looking set for a large score. Crazies’ hopes began to rise as Hanton removed Sweet and Birkett in consecutive overs, either side of Searle bowling Hodgkiss without scoring. However, Norton (77*) found able support, from Wright and Gireesh to lead Harpsden to 223-6.
Crazies’ reply started badly as A.Collis was removed first ball and Scholfield, having already given two chances, was well caught by Birkett to leave Crazies 17-2. Parris and D.Noyes began to rebuild the innings, adding 47 before Parris was run out by a direct hit. Stuart joined Noyes and they brought Crazies back into the match. However, when both fell in consecutive balls and J.Collis followed 4 balls later, Crazies had collapsed to 128-6.
With 9 overs remaining, Crazies dug in for a draw. With R.Noyes and Saunders looking comfortable this looked highly likely. However, the returning Cracknell took 3 wickets to leave Saunders needing to fend off the final over to ensure Crazies secured the draw, finishing on 159-9.
Harpsden
Sweet b Hanton 60
Bryan c J Collis b R Noyes 17
Hurst b R Noyes 21
Norton NOT OUT 77
Hodgkiss b Searle 0
Birkett b Hanton 0
Wright RUN OUT 14
Gireesh NOT OUT 17
Extras 17
TOTAL for 6 223
Rechner 11 – 0 – 56 - 0 R Noyes 9 - 2 - 32 - 2 Parris 6 - 1 - 27 - 0
Hanton 6 - 0 - 31 - 2 Searle 4 - 0 - 28 - 1 J Collis 3 - 0 - 35 - 0
Crazies Hill
D Noyes c Sweet b Ham 56
A Collis c Cracknell b Wright 0
Scholfield c Birkett b Ham 5
W Parris RUN OUT 15
Stuart c Birkett b Hodgkiss 31
Saunders NOT OUT 10
J Collis c & b Hodgkiss 0
R Noyes b Cracknell 17
S Hanton b Cracknell 0
Rechner c Birkett b Cracknell 0
A Searle NOT OUT 0
Extras 25
TOTAL for 9 159
Ham 10 - 1 - 26 – 2 Wright 4 – 1 - 10 - 1 Deville 4 - 0 - 20 - 0
Cracknell 6 - 3 - 18 - 3 Hodgkiss 11 - 3 - 41 – 2 Hurst 3 - 0 - 11 - 0
Bryan 1 - 0 - 17 - 0
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Harpsden chop Woodley down
Woodley
T.Kahn b. E.Birkett 7
J.Khan b. G.Hepburn 15
Raja ct. A.Bryan b. G.Hepburn 30
Mahmood ct. A.Bryan b. A.Cary 0
Amjam ct. J.Paice b. C.Welford 19
Stone b. A.Cary 4
Sharma ct. A.Hurst b. J.Paice 12
Udan RUN OUT 4
Houghton ct. A.Hurst b.M.Hodgkiss 4
Kousik NOT OUT 16
Jackson ct. C.Welford b. M.Hodgkiss 0
Sub Total 111
Extras 29
Total (10 wkts) 140
Best Bowling: Hodgkiss 2-9, Hepburn 2-15
Harpsden C.C.
J.Paice caught b. Kousik 35
G.Hepburn b. Amjam 9
J.Broome caught b. Amjam 12
A.Hurst Retired 53
A.Bryan b. Sharma 11
A.Cary NOT OUT 14
E.Birkett NOT OUT 7
Sub Total 140
Extras 4
Total (4 wkts) 144
Best Bowling: Amjam 2-30
Harpsden lost the toss on a humid day and were put into the field by Woodley on what looked to be a good batting track. Harry Williams and Ed Birkett shared the new ball well but despite restricting the runs found wickets hard to come by. It took the introduction of ageless Miles Hodgkiss, big George Hepburn and canny spinner Alfred Cary to clear the middle order picking up two wickets a piece. Highlights for the batting team included 30 from Raja and a hard fought 19 from Amjam who occupied the crease whilst others were falling around him. Harpsden will be disappointed with the 29 extras conceded. Woodley finished on an under par 140 all out.
Harpsden decided to attack and despite losing two early wickets reached 100 in the thirteenth over. Adam Hurst was batting with a dodgy leg and managed to reach 34 before having to do any running. His fifty came up with his 11th boundary of the day and he promptly retired to rest his damaged leg. It was left to Cary and Birkett to finish the game in the 20th over and by 6 wickets.
T.Kahn b. E.Birkett 7
J.Khan b. G.Hepburn 15
Raja ct. A.Bryan b. G.Hepburn 30
Mahmood ct. A.Bryan b. A.Cary 0
Amjam ct. J.Paice b. C.Welford 19
Stone b. A.Cary 4
Sharma ct. A.Hurst b. J.Paice 12
Udan RUN OUT 4
Houghton ct. A.Hurst b.M.Hodgkiss 4
Kousik NOT OUT 16
Jackson ct. C.Welford b. M.Hodgkiss 0
Sub Total 111
Extras 29
Total (10 wkts) 140
Best Bowling: Hodgkiss 2-9, Hepburn 2-15
Harpsden C.C.
J.Paice caught b. Kousik 35
G.Hepburn b. Amjam 9
J.Broome caught b. Amjam 12
A.Hurst Retired 53
A.Bryan b. Sharma 11
A.Cary NOT OUT 14
E.Birkett NOT OUT 7
Sub Total 140
Extras 4
Total (4 wkts) 144
Best Bowling: Amjam 2-30
Harpsden lost the toss on a humid day and were put into the field by Woodley on what looked to be a good batting track. Harry Williams and Ed Birkett shared the new ball well but despite restricting the runs found wickets hard to come by. It took the introduction of ageless Miles Hodgkiss, big George Hepburn and canny spinner Alfred Cary to clear the middle order picking up two wickets a piece. Highlights for the batting team included 30 from Raja and a hard fought 19 from Amjam who occupied the crease whilst others were falling around him. Harpsden will be disappointed with the 29 extras conceded. Woodley finished on an under par 140 all out.
Harpsden decided to attack and despite losing two early wickets reached 100 in the thirteenth over. Adam Hurst was batting with a dodgy leg and managed to reach 34 before having to do any running. His fifty came up with his 11th boundary of the day and he promptly retired to rest his damaged leg. It was left to Cary and Birkett to finish the game in the 20th over and by 6 wickets.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Harpsden v Old Josephians – 1st June 2010
Hepburn and Birkett Destroy Old Josephians
Harpsden
J Broome ct Maguire b Howes 0
A Birkett ct Daniels b O’Donoho 14
A Hurst ct Mitchener b O’Donoho 23
M Greenwood ct Peacock b Howes 8
R Birkett ct Daniels b R Grindrod 47
G Hepburn ct Peacock b Maguire 65
J Paice ct Peacock b Maguire 10
B Hancock Not Out 35
H Williams Not Out 13
TOTAL 221-7
Best Bowling: Howes 2-15, O’Donoho 2-39.
Old Josephians
Maguire c & b Paice 54
Daniels Run Out 0
Mitchener b E Birkett 0
De Giovanni b E Birkett 0
P Grindrod ct R Birkett b E Birkett 4
R Grindrod c & b Mitchell 0
O’Donoho b Paice 16
Buller b Mitchell 1
Peacock Not Out 1
Howes b A Birkett 4
TOTAL 86-9
Best Bowling: E Birkett 3-6, J Paice 2-8
Harpsden continued their good early season form with a very comfortable win against touring side Old Josephians in a 35 over match, played in very dull, wet conditions.
Harpsden had the worst possible start with the bat, when Broome hit the ball high into the air on the third ball of the innings, only to see Maguire standing underneath to take a fine catch. Hurst and Birkett then rebuilt the innings, before Hurst fell for 23. Adam Birkett was the next man to fall, getting caught behind from O’Donoho’s bowling. Rod Birkett then joined Greenwood at the crease, only to see Greenwood fall for 8, this left Harpsden in trouble at 51-4 after 14 overs. Harpsden’s saviours came in the form of George Hepburn and Rod Birkett, who had a brilliant partnership of 110, which was well balanced with singles from Birkett, and big hitting from Hepburn. However, both fell in quick succession, Hepburn for a hard hitting 65, and Birkett for a very composed 47, in an innings where he deserved to go on and get his half century. This left Harpsden with 6 overs left to bat, Hancock wasted no time in dispatching the bowling to all parts in an inning of 35 not out, which included five fours and a six. He was ably supported by Williams, as Harpsden posted a very competitive 221-7 from their allocated 35 overs.
Harpsden then tore apart the Old Josephians batting line up, with Ed Birketts left arm swing bowling accounting for three of the Old Josephians top five. Tom Mitchell then also got in on the act, picking up two further wickets, before James Paice removed Maguire with a brilliant caught and bowled. It was left to Adam Birkett to finish the match off, bowling Howes for 4, to leave Old Josephians nine wickets down for 86, which meant they were all out as they only had ten players.
Harpsden
J Broome ct Maguire b Howes 0
A Birkett ct Daniels b O’Donoho 14
A Hurst ct Mitchener b O’Donoho 23
M Greenwood ct Peacock b Howes 8
R Birkett ct Daniels b R Grindrod 47
G Hepburn ct Peacock b Maguire 65
J Paice ct Peacock b Maguire 10
B Hancock Not Out 35
H Williams Not Out 13
TOTAL 221-7
Best Bowling: Howes 2-15, O’Donoho 2-39.
Old Josephians
Maguire c & b Paice 54
Daniels Run Out 0
Mitchener b E Birkett 0
De Giovanni b E Birkett 0
P Grindrod ct R Birkett b E Birkett 4
R Grindrod c & b Mitchell 0
O’Donoho b Paice 16
Buller b Mitchell 1
Peacock Not Out 1
Howes b A Birkett 4
TOTAL 86-9
Best Bowling: E Birkett 3-6, J Paice 2-8
Harpsden continued their good early season form with a very comfortable win against touring side Old Josephians in a 35 over match, played in very dull, wet conditions.
Harpsden had the worst possible start with the bat, when Broome hit the ball high into the air on the third ball of the innings, only to see Maguire standing underneath to take a fine catch. Hurst and Birkett then rebuilt the innings, before Hurst fell for 23. Adam Birkett was the next man to fall, getting caught behind from O’Donoho’s bowling. Rod Birkett then joined Greenwood at the crease, only to see Greenwood fall for 8, this left Harpsden in trouble at 51-4 after 14 overs. Harpsden’s saviours came in the form of George Hepburn and Rod Birkett, who had a brilliant partnership of 110, which was well balanced with singles from Birkett, and big hitting from Hepburn. However, both fell in quick succession, Hepburn for a hard hitting 65, and Birkett for a very composed 47, in an innings where he deserved to go on and get his half century. This left Harpsden with 6 overs left to bat, Hancock wasted no time in dispatching the bowling to all parts in an inning of 35 not out, which included five fours and a six. He was ably supported by Williams, as Harpsden posted a very competitive 221-7 from their allocated 35 overs.
Harpsden then tore apart the Old Josephians batting line up, with Ed Birketts left arm swing bowling accounting for three of the Old Josephians top five. Tom Mitchell then also got in on the act, picking up two further wickets, before James Paice removed Maguire with a brilliant caught and bowled. It was left to Adam Birkett to finish the match off, bowling Howes for 4, to leave Old Josephians nine wickets down for 86, which meant they were all out as they only had ten players.
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