6 runs!!! - Week 17 Hatfield Town (a)
Hatfield Town vs Nostell St Oswalds 8th August 2009 Match Gallery
After the cancellation of the previous weeks fixture it was good to return to play with some sunny weather as we made the trip over to nearest rivals Hatfield Town. The after effects of all this rain showing & the fact we haven’t played at Hatfield before led to a win the toss and bowl choice. Job complete on that score it then took slick Lee all of 3 balls to remove the opening ‘batsmen’ (I say batsman, clearly I mean idiot). Anyway, number 3 strode out and the onset of normal human behaviour resumed.
However, it didn’t go well for the number 3 either as Lee nipped one back ‘a yard’ leaving him pole axed. This brought Nick Page to the crease to join Hatfields other prolific batter Malc Griffin (he also needs an assistant groundsman if you are free but he isn’t counting his chickens). The 2 bats then proceed to block out against some very straight and accurate bowling taking the score onto 75 before the straight bowling was finally rewarded with an lbw for uncle Ken removing Page. I then took some sort of wicket as Griffin hoisted me in air one time too many from outside off stump, dale taking the catch. My 9 overs finished to let Lee come back and demolish the rest of the batting line up with more straight bowling. 7 for 23 from Lee, yet another slick deal. Wickets to Ken, myself and Lionel Richie. Town all out for 131 from 41.3 overs
131 from 50 looked a target in our reach but we too lost early wickets & didn’t managed to cling any sort a partnership of note together. Matt contributing the only double figure score from the top 5 with 29 before the young captain joining Richie Brazil at the crease with the score on 55 for 5. With Richie showing great skill and promise with the bat he made his way to 32 patiently and accurately along with myself who rode some luck whilst hitting the ball away when i could (not sure it was all luck tho eh lads, see ‘idiot’). Richie then then copped a shocker LBW down leg and high with me later being bowled off the inside edge for 33. The score moved onto 126 for 8 whilst i showered off the fruity comments.
Dale was still at the crease and facing, 6 to win was the call, lets guess what Dale will do….. a huge swing…… a middle of the bat…… a hush in the crowd………. a huge cheer from the fielding team as Dale hammered the ball straight at cover and Hatfield skipper Stothard clinging on without moving. Fiddle sticks we thought. Still, uncle Ken strode to the crease purposefully but in similar vain died on the sword.
So a great game left us 8 points clear at the top with 5 weeks to go. The league still ours to win and win we shall try!
James ‘young captain’ Rowett
