Stevens and Grimmer pile on runs for Harpsden

Harpsden won the toss and elected to bat in this 40 over game on Saturday. This appeared a brave decision after morning rain had softened the Harpsden wickets but Whitchurch struggled for control in the early overs and saw Andrew Grimmer take full advantage as he plundered 50 runs in the first 7 overs of the match. After a short rain delay Grimmer departed but Rob Harris and Ben Hancock took over and the scoreboard continued to tick over at a healthy rate.

With the departure of Harris Harpsden skipper Will Stevens joined Hancock in the middle and the pair proceeded to share a 100 run partnership. Hancock finally fell to the late arriving Seaward who was the pick of the Whitchurch bowlers and went on to pick up 4 wickets. After this Stevens saw partners come and go but managed to guide Harpsden to the mammoth total of 317 from their forty overs.

In reply Whitchurch started strongly in the opening overs but were pegged back by the economical Toby Stevens and impressive Mike Deville. With Whitchurch falling behind the rate Harpsden rotated their bowlers frequently. The star of the Whitchurch innings was Lyn Williams who made an aggressive 62 before falling to a good catch by Alfred Cary.

With Williams back in the pavilion Harpsden closed in on victory and even managed to get all 11 of their players on to bowl. Late resistance came from Flood and Neeson but not enough to stop Harpsden running out comfortable victors.

Harpsden
A.Grimmer b Neeson 60
R.Harris ct b Williams 41
B.Hancock b Seaward 37
W.Stevens ct sub b Seaward 92
R.Birkett b Williams 16
H.Cary ct Seaward b Steward 22
A.Birkett st Flood b Steward 16
G.Hepburn b Seaward 9
A.Cary Run Out 0
T.Stevens Not Out 4
M.Devile c&b Seaward 1
Extras 19
Total 317

Whitchurch
Seaward b Deville 6
Mattimao b Hepburn 24
Motha b Deville 0
L.Williams b Hepburn 62
Flood Not Out 23
Loudan ct b Hepburn 0
Steward b Stevens 1
S.Willams ct Stevens b A.Birkett 2
Nesson Not Out 18
Extras 16
Total 152