The 5W Force

The 2015 season kicked off with a trip up the A1 to Kirk Hammerton. Unlike many opening day fixtures the weather was been kind with lots of sunshine but a chilly easterly wind did take the edge of the temperature.

Kirk Hammerton once again looked a picture though the wicket was pretty green. The wicket was one of the closest to the pavilion side of the square which meant the other side boundary was truly massive.

A few regular 1st team players were missing which made the line up a little unusual, Mr Chairman (Dewi ) been called up late to replace Peter Batty, Hew Oeppen and Dan Ward also coming in.

Milford skipper Paul Hebden made the perfect start to the season, firstly getting all 11 players to the ground at the new starting time of 1.00pm and then by winning the toss.

Electing to bat Paul opened the innings with Stuart Morley. Both rode their luck early with their first scoring shots been outside edges which flew between keeper and first slip. Paul attacked from the start and was soon finding the boundary off Tom Main's bowling. Alas when looking well set on 20 he was adjudged to be LBW.

Milford lost two more wickets in quick succession and we looked in a bit of trouble on 44 for 3. Martin Bramley and Ben White were now at the crease and slowly took the initiative. Martin built his innings steadily and when he hit 18 off two of Mark Wilson's overs it looked like his initial patience was paying dividends. Wilson though had the last laugh by rearranging Martin's stumps when the batsmen got in a muddle with his front pad & bat. A nice cameo innings of 32 though.

At the other end Ben was going about his business quietly slowly pushing the score on. As he gained in confidence the classy cover drives were brought out. Clever tickles round the corner followed to keep the score ticking over. The 100 coming up in the 27th over. Ben's maiden 1st team fifty came up in fine style with a hat trick of boundaries off the returning opening bowler Alex Bramley. What a marvellous knock and for sure the first of many.

Where as praise can be levelled at Ben for his batting his running with Steve Winspear was a car crash waiting to happen. On more than one occasion the pair had dithered and nearly run each other out. Inevitably they once again hesitated and Ben was run out for 59. A top effort from the lad who had held the Milford innings together for almost 30 overs.

With 5 overs left and the score 155 we needed a late charge to set a decent target for Kirk Hammeton to chase and Loz White & Steve Winspear did just that. Despite Steve running like a 60 year old with a gamy leg they put on 30 very valuable runs to close on 187-7. Loz finishing the innings with a on drive down the ground a candidate for shot of the day.

The Kirk Hammerton teas are one the best we get all season and this year was no exception, the quality and range of things on offer are seldom surpassed. Highlights this year were the large smoked sausages, the home made quiche and the maple syrup sponge sandwich cake.

So thoroughly sated we set off for the 2nd innings. Traditionally we have always had close finishes with Kirk Hammerton, famously a tie a couple of years ago. This year seemed to be the exception when Tom Main smacked 25 off Elmer Gee's opening two overs. Elmer paying the price for not netting over the winter perhaps. The big six over the pavilion from a full toss was heard to have the response of 'The only way Morley would have done that is by kicking it.....'

Loz White at the other end was having more joy and in the 5th over had the other Hammeton opener, Kieron Grant, walking back to the changing room after demolishing his wicket. Two overs later he had his 2nd wicket when Martin Bramley held on to a sharp chance at point.

Steve Winspear, on replacing Elmer, joined in the fun by getting the dangerous Tom Main to play on. Steve was looking quick today, the ball rushing through to Alex Ward behind the stumps. His pace possibly helped by been a bit miffed at having his jumper weed on by a spectators greyhound as it made its way round the boundary.

Kirk Hammerton's hopes of reaching the Milford total seemed to rest in the hands of all rounder Alex Bramley. Scoring freely despite suffering a sore back he pushed the home teams score upwards. His 50 coming off just 54 balls after 71 minutes at the crease. He was though slowly running out of partners and when Dan Ward came on to replace Steve Winspear the game swung back in Milford's favour.

Dan's two wickets in successive balls, the second the wicket of Hammerton's skipper Matt Shillito for a golden duck, left the score 142-7 with plenty of overs left. Bramley's innings was now becoming the key to winning the match. If he stayed in Hammerton would probably win if not we would have the six points. Paul tried the experiment of a bit of spin from Ben but this proved not to be the answer and he was taken off after just 2 overs.

Another gamble saw Elmer brought back on from the other end. This proved to be the perfect roll of the dice. He got the tiring Bramley to edge one onto his stumps. A brave innings of 77 which ended agonising close to the winning line. Elmer then picked up his traditional rabbit to leave Steve Winspear to come back and claim the last wicket of the day. A peach of a delivery which just clipped the top of off. Wasted on a number 10.

So Kirk Hammerton all out for 151 inside 36 overs. A great start for Milford. Dan Ward finishing best of the bowlers with 3 for 26. If we can keep this all round team performance going all season we shall be there or there abouts. Mention must go to the catching, we didn't put one down today. Paul Hebden taking one that had seemed to gone over him, the Inspector Gadget arms coming into place and Elmer Gee surprising himself by holding onto a real fizzer. Next time though don't drop it when celebrating eh !!!!!!

PS. The Rolls Royce in the Victoria's car park was a Wraith. 6.6 litre V12 with 624bhp and 0-60 of 4.4 seconds. Starting price of £235,000. It's my birthday in a couple of weeks (hint, hint). Not bothered about the colour, though a carmine blue with cream leather wouldn't look bad......