12th July 2025 - HBCC 1st XI vs Pledwick CC (H)
1st Innings
Pledwick win the toss and choose to bat
A watchful opening stand between Pledwick’s openers looked like they were on course for a score of well over 200. The divisions #1 bowler (J Waring) and #1 all rounder (A Shahid) bowled tight, but seeing as Waring only gets wickets when his family are spectating, the lack of support seemed to have an impact on his knack of taking early wickets.
With our vice captain away on a boozy trip, the skipper turned to veteran Al G for expert opinion on bowling changes. Variation was the winner, with #1 forward defence (T Worm) coming on and bowling his left arm over, line and length. There were some beautifully bowled balls that nipped in to the right handers, and he was unlucky to not come away with a wicket. From the pavilion end, fresh off of playing pro rugby down in Cornwall, and building up enough metal to come up to the firsts, big Josh H came on and used his height to rough up the opening batsman. No spikes, and bowling down the hill with some fresh Nike sneakers, stepping in and bowling in what would have been our boozy VC’s role, we all thought he did a great job filling in.
Then came the break-through. Who else, but last weeks centurion, Ben Y. A smart grab by bucket hands MH down to his right, who apparently couldn’t see the ball with Versace shades and a Stone Island cap a few overs later when a ball was lobbed in the air for what looked like a regulation catch. A wicked 8 over spell from Mr Centurion, saw a missed stumping chance and a missed catch from the wicketkeeper. Moving on swiftly.
Captain Nic switched the ends of the opening bowlers at the end of the innings which proved to be a masterstroke. Waring found extra pace and bounce from the pavilion end, and now with his family out in full force, Pledwick’s top 2 batters Eastlake and Haigh were walking back disappointed that they could not kick on. Shahid’s display of death bowling, taking pace off (which was aided by running up the hill) was great to watch as he also chipped in with 2 big wickets at the end with the keeper taking a worldie.
Pledwick finished on 207/7. They would have liked to have kicked on, and got closer to 235, however HBCC’s atrocious ground fielding where balls were trickling under the fingers and toes of Fiz, Al G & Jack at no more than 1mph was embarrassing and deflating to say the least for the bowlers toiling hard in the 28 degree heat.
2nd Innings
Mr centurion and Al G would have been disappointed not to have put the consistent full tosses away to the boundary in the first few overs of our innings. Instead, Mr centurion forgot which sport he was playing and hockey swept a full toss from outside off stump, into the hands of mid-wicket.
K Baig came in and tried to run Al G out again. With his parents watching on the sidelines, he thought he’d show them what he brings to this team - run outs. The ship was steadied and a partnership was building until Al G got a decent ball and went back to one which cleaned him up. No kit Josh delivered 2 lusty blows with Jack’s heavy handle and after convincing everyone he would play sensibly, he went wandering out his crease to Eastlake and got stumped.
In came our finisher Fiz Saleem, pushing for a promotion in the line up and getting his chance to impress after consistently getting runs this year. Plum in front. Chasing 208 and reeling at 58-4, winviz gave us a chance of less than 20%.
A partnership of 72, and a great combination of counter attack from A Shahid and watchful anchoring from K Baig, saw HBCC get closer to the target. It was a joy to watch Shahid leather the second strongest bowling attack in the division to all parts of squirrel park, in particularly, a six out of the ground. This led to some controversy. K Baig’s watchful eye saw Mr Leith trying to hide a brand new cherry (spare ball) from the umpire. This was raised and Pledwick were not happy with what seemed like a legitimate claim by HBCC’s batters. Mr Leith bowled a tidy double over maiden and eventually nipped one through the gate of K Baig. There was great respect shown by the opposition to the departing batsman.
#1 forward defence and #1 all rounder put on 61 at more than a run a ball and put us in a position where you’d think you couldn’t lose. Worm had nicked one behind and on his way back, a poor chair felt his anger. Captain Nic played a glorious straight drive for 4, and the game was perfectly poised for el Capitano to bring the game home. Not to be as a leading edge went into the hands of mid wicket. MH described his boundary through the slips as a ‘dirty’ edge but clean or dirty, they all count. Shahid went for glory, but unfortunately couldn’t see us home and was dismissed to a standing ovation from the crowd (86). Cue Mic R who fielded expertly at square and fine leg, bringing out his trademark sliding tackles as and when needed. A classy cover drive on the up saw him bring the team home at 18:45 in which is an average finishing time against Pledwick CC.
A great game, on a glorious day, where we were thrilled to come away with a victory and end the evening in second place.
Report by K Baig