Hinton Charterhouse vs Horningsham

8 May 2011
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Weather - a typical spring day with sunshine and showers

Wicket - grass, a bit skiddy

Pitch - sloping but beautifully situated

Opposition - 4 Jacobs, 2 Berrys, 2 Rious, Mr Fricker, Mr Wells & 2 Frome mercenaries - yeh thats 12!

Fantastic sunshine, beautiful ground and a pumped up Horningsham – what else could go right for us? Angus won the toss! First time in twenty attempts, wow what good fortune. So, we’re going to bat first then at last- No, we’re going to field. Isn’t that what happens when we lose the toss? Yes

Ok, let’s keep it tight and see what happens- opening bowlers Callum & Finn bowled well with the opposition unable to score much, losing 2 wickets. Next, bowlers Angus and Sam continued the pressure picking up more wickets, with Angus picking on the children and Sam dealing with the adults. Next batsman please!

Step up Mr Fricker, one time Horningsham ringer and good all rounder.This guy was a seasoned pro and his partnership with Mr Wells proved to be the start of the stronger Hinton tail. Eventually Cristy got the better of Mr Fricker not long after the run out of Mr Wells. Young master Riou went after Callum in the final overs but ran out of batting partners and the score reached 100 for 11 off 35 overs.

A pleasant tea during the interval coupled with a low target meant spirits were high in the Horningsham camp.

Paul & Angus opened the batting with a master class in defensive test cricket batting, creating a meticulously built platform of 13 runs off 10 overs for us to shape our crushing victory. Shortly after Paul hit a splendid four he was caught LBW by the shrewd Mr Fricker... enter James Oborne.

We shouted to Angus that Chelsea were losing 2-0 and it proved to be the stimulus he needed. Off he went like a cheap firework, crash bang wallop. James and Angus trundled along grabbing runs where they could as if in a supermarket sweep, until James was undone by the masterful slow bowler James Jacobs, who bowled him with his slower ball. In came Colin who continued where James had finished and the run rate ticked along leisurely until Lambert struck. Next batsman was Callum, who, together with Angus, continued to knock off the runs until victory was in sight- 2 runs needed to win, Angus on 49 on strike..........slight edge, caught behind and walking like the true gent he is.

I must mention the monsoon that had occurred earlier causing everyone to take cover for 15 mins. It added an interesting slip hazard that brought an amusing angle to the game, turning it into a sort of cricket on ice.

Lambert was the first victim, hitting the floor during his run up to bowl. Next was David umpiring on his back. Drew skidded majestically whilst trying to hammer the winning runs and was stumped. In comes Christy, and after a few dot balls we were into the last over.

2 runs needed from 6 balls- suddenly the match had accelerated in pace and both teams were biting their nails smelling victory and failure with each breath. Dot ball, 2 off of 5 needed. Callum cracks the ball back past the wile Mr Fricker, who’d bought himself back on to bowl the last over. Yes shouts Callum and sets off like a freight train. Sadly Christy just ran on the spot due to the underfoot conditions and was run out.

This minor collapse was causing chaos on the sidelines. David was due in next but, anticipating the win, had changed from his whites into something casual, and was frantically strapping pads on left right and centre. Sam and I were scoring so that left Finn to skip up the order and enter the field of play whilst bragging he wasn’t going to hang about and was going to slog it. Up he stepped to the crease, took his guard and then followed his usual procedure of making the bowler wait a while. In comes Fricker and fires the ball at middle stump, up steps Finn and drives the ball to the boundary.

It was a fitting end to a tense finale. Well played everyone.

RG