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.