4th XI Lose by 4 Wickets to Hitchin 3s

The openers Nick and Matt saw of the opening bowlers and then it became clear that Hitchin has only one more bowler a leg spinner and the rest were bits and bobs bowlers who were lobbing the ball onto a length.

This was the weakest bowling attack we have faced all season, but by accident or design this seemed to frustrate the Hertford batsman who regularly got a start and then tried to force the pace and lost their wickets. This resulted in a Rich Eaton 50 (in fine form this season) and then quite a few contributions of 20. The younger members of the team, Finn and Alex showed how to play the bowling and wicket by just pushing the ball around at the end and just milking the runs and Hertford final score was 214, probably about 40 below par given the conditions and bowling.

Hitchin’s reply started in spectacular style as Connor Ives figures after 4 overs was 4 for 4. Excluding a wide both Finn and Connor combined for 30 consecutive dot balls. However, Hitchin took note of how Hertford’s tail batted and started to push the ball around and pick off the loose deliveries. Hitchin were just getting to the point where the climbing run rate was starting to produce rash shots when their keeper came in and targeted the leg side and no amount of fielders on the short boundary could stop him. His quick 60 changed the game and allowed their number 3 batsmen maturely accumulate 92 not out off 43 overs. We later found out he is only 15 years old. Very impressive innings. Hitchin chased down the total with 9 balls to spare.