HCC match report vs Millermen, May15th 2016

HCC extend unbeaten start to the season

HCC extended their excellent start to the season with a fine victory against the Millermen. On a warm(ish) day, after an agreed "toss", HCC batted first, with Turner (C) and Bristowe, making his first bow of the year, opening the batting. Some crisp batting from both saw the score move along nicely before Bristowe drove languidly into the hands of midwicket. Brunsdon came in hoping to continue the form that saw him score runs in the previous game. His partnership with Turner was short-lived, bringing a new face for 2016, Jawad Ahktar, to join him at the wicket. Their untroubled partnership steadied the innings for a period, before turning up the gas as the tea approached. Jawad played well for 30-odd, before stepping aside to bring Brown, Tom Exall and finally Ian Duke to the wicket for them to make their mark. After a final flurry of runs, Brunsdon was left stranded at the wrong end during the final over before tea, ending on 98no, the HCC total being 206 for 6 declared. Resuming after tea, the evergreen Simpson took the ball, along with the HCC youth policy that is Tom Exall. Both bowled well, and restricted the Millermen batsmen to few run scoring opportunities. Exall bowled well to take one of the opening pair, but it was Simpson, rolling back the years, who blew away the innings, taking a 6-for, with 5 caught behind the wicket by the impressive Ahktar. Some good catching in the field, along with Duke finding his best tactics were to wildly vary his line, saw the Millermen all out for 140(ish - sorry, scorebook not to hand at the moment!) It's been a while since we had 3 jugs to buy in the bar after, one for batting, one for bowling, and one for catching. Well done guys, great result - let's keep it up.