Scorecard

Hertingfordbury CC 2nd XI v Knebworth Park V on Sat 24 Jul 2010 at 1.00
Hertingfordbury CC Won by 2 wickets

Match report A cracking match although Knebworth will have a glass half empty view of this one. But any game that gets to the last over and can still be won, drawn or lost can't be all bad.

Alex put them in and they got off to a slow start, but accelerated after 10 overs, making the most of some indifferent fielding from us, and a perfect batting track. We just had to be patient in the heat.
Steve got the breakthrough we needed bowling the opener, and then Dom trapped the No2 lbw. After the idiosyncratic Babu hit a frustrating 16 a mini collapse followed leaving Knebworth at little over 100-5.
Any hopes of an early tea were dashed as all of the remaining line-up contributed, especially the left handed Clark hiding thankfully at 9 having "not played much recently". A higher spot could have put the score beyond us.

My yo-yo batting career continued opening with Bondy. We put on 46 until the 11th when I played on, trying to pull a short delivery. Bondy was looking ominous but Tumble couldn't quite get going and chased a wide delivery, holing out at mid off. Simon and Bondy promised our most attractive partnership until Matt was caught, done by a slower ball. The 2 Harleys were looking comfortable until Simon failed to get the benefit of an lbw appeal.
Martin's knock whilst short, contained a consecutive 6&4 which actually helped us back towards the required run rate.

However we were barely half way to the total with Alex as the last recognised batsman and 6 an over required; Knebworth's tails were up. Fortunately both Dom and Smurf had runs under their belt this year and provided both the support and attacking instincts Alex required to continue the run chase.

He went for 28 and we were still not sure which way the game would go. Smurf batted how we know he can and should most of the time - on the front foot. Knebworth were getting edgy now and our boys were inducing mistakes and overthrows.
With the winning post in sight Dom was trapped absolutely plum (no doubt about it), leaving Steve to negotiate the last over with 3 required. At least the ideal man was in to advise Ross.
2 singles were followed by 3 dots, Steve facing. Smurf ran like hell, Steve steered the ball to point beyond the close corden. Smurf ran 2. Nobody will ever know why.

A brilliant win against the odds and a real confidence booster that our other batsman can step up to the plate when required.

We're now firmly in the top third of the table and can look to push on, availability allowing.

Hertingfordbury CC 2nd XI Batting
214 for 8
Player Name RunsCatchesStumpingsRun outs
Matt Keane Caught  Murphy 39
Robert Stone Bowled  Hutchinson 16 1
Ross Dwyer Caught  Murphy 11 1
Simon Harley Lbw  Evans 22
William Harley Caught  Evans 12
Martin Ambler Bowled  Murphy 10
Alex Preston Caught  Evans 28
Dominic Spong Lbw  Inman 38
Ross Murphy Not Out  22
Steve Rider Not Out  3
James Pearcey   1

Knebworth Park V Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Murphy17.0256318.673.29
Clark2.001700.008.50
Hutchinson11.0156156.005.09
Evans11.0161320.335.55
Inman2.0012112.006.00

Knebworth Park V Batting
212 for 9
Player name Runs
Hutchinson Bowled  Rider 29
Barwick Lbw  Spong 50
Babu Bowled  Rider 16
Inman Lbw  Rider 16
Sheffield Bowled  Keane 20
Evans Bowled  Keane 0
Jones Caught  Pearcey 11
White Caught  Stone b Keane 18
Clarke Not Out  23
Murphy Caught  Dwyer b Rider 2
Mantle Not Out  8

Hertingfordbury CC 2nd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
James Pearcey6.012100.003.50
Ross Murphy7.002200.003.14
Steve Rider18.0081516.204.50
Dominic Spong8.0133133.004.13
Matt Keane8.0039313.004.88

  • Umpire :
    Peter Haigh
  • Scorer :
Our Sponsors BRIDGE FLOORING Specialists in short breaks, classic marque & performance car travel Wyvern Cricket Supplies Continuum Insurance Brokers SportsMatch sponsored 50% of our new nets project For a small donation you could have an advert here, linked to your own website or a bespoke advert page!