Harpsden v BBC Caversham 2/08/08

Stevens Stars For Harpsden

Harpsden

M Hodgkiss ct Lavers b Sinka 0

W Stevens* b Ballard 71

A Grimmer ct Massey b Ballard 47

B Hancock Run Out 19

A Birkett ct Watkins b Sinka 8

R Birkett + ct Treder b Lavers 2

M Hayward c & b Lavers 2

M Greenwood Not Out 2

M Farmar b Watkins 0

J Butler b Watkins 0

Extras 17

TOTAL 168

Best Bowling - Lavers 2-26, Watkins 2-29

BBC Caversham

T Deeks* ct Stevens b Butler 2

M Treder ct Hancock b Greenwood 4

J Champion b Farmar 14

T Massey ct Farmar b Greenwood 2

D Lavers Not Out 63

R Watkins lbw b Hodgkiss 0

S Castle Not Out 4

Extras 24

TOTAL 113-5

Best Bowling – Greenwood 2-25, Hodgkiss 1-10

Harpsden locked horns with BBC Caversham on a warm, slightly damp afternoon. Harpsden got off to the worst possible start, losing Hodgkiss second ball of the innings. This brought Grimmer to the crease to join Stevens. The two batsmen built a very solid partnership, hitting some erractic bowling all around the park. When Grimmer holed out to deep mid wicket, the pair had put on 85 in just 14 overs. Hancock then joined Stevens, both batsman ran hard and continued to keep the score ticking over, when Hancock was run out with the score on 125 off 23 overs, a big total looked on the cards. However, Harpsden suffered a collapse, and only Stevens really managed to get the scoring rate going. When he fell for a much needed 71, Harpsden lost there last 3 wickets for just 4 runs. Leaving them with a respectable score of 168 off there 30 overs.

Harpsden got off to a superb start with the ball, with Greenwood and Butler tempting the batsmen into false strokes. After 6 overs BBC Caversham were on 16-3, this included two great catches, firstly from Stevens, and then a great diving low effort from Farmar. Harpsden believed that a low total was definitely on. However, When Lavers came to the crease to join champion, Lavers in particular looked very comfortable with the bat in hand. Both batsmen dug deep and built a solid partnership of 66 before Champion was bowled by Farmar. Hodgkiss then striked, catching Watkins plumb in front. After this BBC Caversham shut up shop, and finished on 113-5 off their allocted overs. Harpsden winning by a convincing margin of 55 runs.