Tom Nugent steals the show for Harpsden

After a week of heavy rain, Harpsden met Reading Lawyers at Harpsden's picturesque but somewhat soggy ground. The week of weather had taken it's toll on the strip which was uncharacteristically slow. Tom Sampson started well, bowling a tight opening spell of 1 for 14 off eight overs, but in truth he deserved better. At the other end Alfred Cary helped to tie up the runs, although Symons refused to be easily budged. Symons' 36, with the support of 20s from Clift and Griffiths, helped Reading Lawyers up to a respectable total of 142 all out just before tea. Hodgkiss cleaned up the tail well, returning figures of 4 for 32, although the pick of the bowlers was 13 year old Tom Nugent, who bowled both with great pace and patience when needed. He finished with well deserved figures of 3 for 28 off 10 irresistible overs.

After Mrs. Sampson's excellent tea, there was a question whether Harpsden would be able to get going quickly. Some lusty front foot blows from Rob Harris got Harpsden off to the start they wanted, with Tom Mitchell ably assisting at the other end. It took an unplayable one from Seymour to bowl Harris, but not before he raced to 29. Ian Nugent and Rod Birkett both came and went after they had made good starts but there was a dampener to the occasion when young Chris Welford collapsed with a suspected dislocated knee cap. He went off to hospital and our best wishes go to him for a speedy recovery. This wasn't the only Harpsden injury though, Ian Nugent and Tom Sampson both pulled up with hamstring problems which. Miles Hodgkiss looked to have steered Harpsden home but was dismissed by Lake to leave Harpsden needing 4 to win with the last batsmen at the crease. Number 10 Tom Nugent, who had performed so well with the ball, stepped up to the plate smashing a four to win Harpsden the game by the narrowest of margins, and leave himself on 22 not out.


Reading Lawyers

M. Symons ct. T.Nugent b. Hodgkiss 36
J. Woodsmith ct. Farmar b. Sampson 3
M. Burrows ct. I. Nugent b. T. Nugent 6
A. Cobb b. Welford 0
W. Lake lbw b. Birkett 11
T. Clift ct.Cary b. Hodgkiss 20
N. Burrows lbw b. T. Nugent 12
P. Griffiths not out 20
S. James ct. I. Nugent b. Hodgkiss 2
A. Gupta ct. sub (A. Birkett) b. T. Nugent 16
M. Seymour b. T. Nugent 0

Extras 16

Total All Out 142

Best bowling: Hodgkiss 4 for 32, T. Nugent 3 for 28


Harpsden

R. Harris b. Seymour 29
T. Mitchell ct. Griffiths b. Gupta 6
I. Nugent lbw b. M. Burrows 17
I. Whittaker ct. Clift b. Gupta 6
R. Birkett lbw b. Lake 21
A. Cary ct. Cobb b. Gupta 0
C. Welford retired hurt 0
M. Hodgkiss ct. Griffiths b. Lake 28
T. Sampson ct. Cobb b. Lake 4
T. Nugent not out 22
M. Farmar not out 0

Extras 12

Total for 8 wickets 145

Best Bowling: Lake 3 for 17, Gupta 3 for 49