Hertford 4th XI Beat Old Eastcotians by 7 Wickets

The oppo’s opening “gun” bat has clearly played at a higher level and smashed 14 off the first 2 overs, picking up anything slightly back of length and despatching over the square leg boundary. So after 3 overs Old Eastcotians were 30 for 1 and we all thought we were in for a long afternoon chasing leather.

With the benefit of hindsight, the match’s seminal (thanks Jeff Hurrell) moment came in the second over when Hertford set a trap and moved Jeff and Matt to deep square leg. George Giblett put the ball in short and “gun” put it right down Jeff’s new postcode the next ball.
The 4s welcomed back Carl Igolen-Robinson for his first game in a long time, maybe this century? Cliff and Carl could not come to a conclusion. Hertford soon remembered what they had been missing as Carl showed he has lost none of his skills in standing up to George Giblett. He had the bails off so quickly the square legs umpire had that kind of apologetic look of “sorry, that was to quick for me”, much to his credit the oppo batsman walked knowing his heel had lifted, maybe more in a sign of admiration than anything else.

George Giblett took out the top three batsmen of strong top 5 batting line-up and finished with figures of 3-23. He later finished off a good day at the office with a direct hit run out.

Alex Bartlam and Dave Benham then combined with Hertford’s fielders to squeeze the game, eventually the frustration of allowing their last batsman just singles culminated in the aforementioned run out. They finished with figures of 0-24 & 2-23 , a great effort on a batting track.
George Rideout’s extra pace and away shape quickly polished off tail as he finished with figures of 3-10. Considering this was a strong side and being asked bowl first in batting conditions: restricting the oppo to 132 speaks volumes for the effort and application of the team.
Special mention to Rich Eaton, ever willing to help the club out went home to find his whites with 17 overs left and the oppo 5 wickets in hand. OE’s captain, Steve, graciously allowed Rich on for the injured Steve Page. He walked three yards from his seat to move to 3rd man, next ball George Rideout took the last wicket..! We could not decide whether Rich should pay his £8 match fee, he did “cross the white-line” after all, maybe one for The Committee?! On a serious note, Rich, the gesture was much appreciated by all.

Steve “Bionic” Page recovered sufficiently to open the batting with the ever-green Carl, “fresh” from keeping for 50 overs. A solid opening partnership was broken when Steve Page was bowled for 21 from one of the few balls to significantly move off the pitch.

Jeff Hurrell and Oran Riddle, followed in quick succession and the oppo’s tails were up. Nick was greeted in the middle with a chirpy oppo. However, by this time Carl had his eye in and was soon smashing the ball all around the wheel, and completed an excellent “second coming” by finishing 77 not out. Nick complemented Carl by using the pace on ball square and behind the wicket to finish 32 not out, in partnership of approx. 80. Hertford won comfortably by 7 wickets with 16 overs to spare.

An excellent win.

Written by Nick Horton.