Cane-Hardy outshines Mark Thomas' big-hitting

Harpsden

M. Thomas st. Caston b. Curtis 40
R. Birkett lbw b. Curtis 32
K. Stormont b. Brown 7
A. Norton lbw b. Cane-Hardy 4
S. Imlay ct. Pavey b. Hunt 19
J. Bradley lbw b. Alcock 4
M. Hayward run out 17
T. Hancock not out 11
T. Sampson not out 0

Extras 11

Total for 7 wkts 146

Best Bowling: Curtis 2 - 19


Shiplake College Wanderers

S. Cane-Hardy not out 68
A. Hurst run out 2
T. Caston ct. Farmar b. Sampson 38
J. Hall run out 3
B. Pavey ct. Norton b. Hayward 16
C. Alcock not out 0

Extras 23

Total for 4 wkts 150

Best Bowling: Hayward 1 - 27


Shiplake College Wanderers hosted Harspden for a Friday evening 20/20, seeking revenge for a defeat earlier in the season at Harpsden. Losing the toss was not a good start as it would subject the teachers to batting in the dark against the young Harspden quicks. Despite an opening maiden, Harspden got off to a great start, aided by several big sixes, particularly from Mark Thomas, as he and Rod Birkett put on 71 for the first wicket in 10 overs. A tight bowling spell from Curtis put Harspden on the back foot and nobody really dominated the bowling again until Tom Hancock who came in for the last 5 balls. 146, although competitive, was, at best, only ever going to be just enough.

The run out of Adam Hurst, following some impressive fielding by Sam Imlay, gave Harspden the start they needed, particularly as the Wanderers’ batsmen struggled against the pace and movement of Hancock and Dan Hayden. Cometh the hour, cometh Tom Caston – Tom proceeded to despatch all-comers to all corners and with the measured blade of Simon Cane-Hardy, started to move Shiplake comfortably ahead of the required rate. The departure of Caston and Hall gave Harspden hope, especially as the spinners, Matt Hayward and Mike Farmar, were extracting significant spin and bounce from a good Shiplake College strip. A big six by Pavey, and further quality stroke-play from Cane-Hardy, his 68 coming in only 48 balls, saw Shiplake home with more than an over to spare.