14th June 2025 - HBCC 1st XI vs Rossington Main CC (A)

Horbury Bridge CC 1st team match report Saturday 14th June vs Rossington Main 1st team (Away - somewhere in France…):

I’m back baby! After a week away at Perkin’s stag do and by popular demand, I am back writing the match reports. 

And after two losses on the bounce, HBCC 1st team got back to winning ways, with a convincing win against RMCC 1st team. 

First innings:

Following a delayed start to the game (25-mins) due to bad traffic (and RMCC not having the ground ready on time…), Nicholson won (yes, won) the toss and decided HBCC would have a bat. Nicholson’s decision was influenced by Smales Snr, who unfortunately had a big blowout pulling onto the A1 slip road on the way to the match. Fortunately, Shahid happened to be passing just after the blowout and was able to pick up Smales Jnr, which meant HBCC had 10-men at the start. Smales Snr had to pull out all the stops to get AA to come and put a temporary tyre on so that he could then go to Kwik Fit to get a new tyre, he would eventually get to the match a few minutes late - it was a stellar effort from Smales Snr and the commitment shown was appreciated by everyone! 

Following Terry’s recent form with the bat, Nicholson made the bold decision to promote Terry to open the batting with Womersley, with the rationale being that surely it couldn’t get any worse for Terry. Terry took the opportunity with both hands and following an early reprieve via a drop in the slips, built a great platform with the ever consistent Womersley. Despite the long boundaries and invariable bounce on offer, the openers put on 65 for the first wicket, putting the bad balls to the boundary when offered up and regularly rotating the strike. Womersley was then unfortunate to pick out square leg to perfection, having scored 28. With HBCC’s anchor Baig absent, Perkin joined Terry in the middle. Soon after, Terry was snicked off going hard outside off stump, departing for 33, his high score for the season - kudos to Nicholson for the great call to promote Terry! HBCC were 77-2 after 20 overs when Waterson joined Perkin in the middle. The pair realised the pitch was not easy to score on and played watchfully to keep the scoreboard ticking over with ones, twos and threes. Perkin hit a couple of lovely drives to the boundary before he disastrously held out to deep mid on off a full toss, departing for 29, leaving HBCC at 136-3 after 33 overs, following a handy 59-run stand for the 3rd wicket. Shahid was next to the crease and tried to up the ante to get HBCC to a strong total. Shahid hit a couple of well struck boundaries before he smashed one straight to mid off leaving HBCC 160-4 after 37 overs. Saleem “the machine” was next out to the middle and joined Waterson, to try and post a big total. Waterson continued on his merry way and comfortably brought up his second 50 of the season to put HBCC in a promising position. Saleem started to bring the heat and positive energy as always; he slapped HBCC’s only six of the day, which is no mean feat on the biggest ground we will play on all season. Waterson started to show his invention and ramped RMCC’s opening bowler to the boundary, sadly he could not replicate this on the final ball of the innings when trying a reverse ramp to a slower ball which went straight through to the keeper. 

Following a productive 61-run 5th wicket unbeaten stand, Waterson 71 not out and Saleem 22 not out, HBCC finished with 221-4 from the 46-overs.

Second innings: 

The irresistible deadly duo (Shahid and Waring) took the new ball as always. Shahid took the first over and found some early away swing with the help of the strong breeze rolling across the ground. With only Shahid’s fourth ball, he dismissed RMCC’s captain via a chipped defensive shot to Womersley in covers for a regulation catch. Shahid “the postman” (because he always delivers) finished the first over with a wicket-maiden. Waring “is caring” decided to copy his St Chad’s performance from two-weeks prior, throwing down a couple of loose early deliveries both of which were punished and sent to the fence. However, Waring went off script before the end of his first over and picked up a wicket with his final delivery. Shahid and Waring continued to bowl tightly in tandem for a few overs, until Waring found another couple of breakthroughs, including a wicket-maiden of his own. Having done early damage, Waring was given a blow finishing with figures 3-25. Waterson came on from the other end and was greeted with disdain as he was edged away to the boundary off his first delivery. Despite being slightly expensive and getting carted for six again (the St Chad’s flashbacks continued), Waterson got the wicket of Saifi courtesy of a well held catch from Waring. Waterson finished with 1-22 before giving way to Smales Jnr. Shahid plugged away at the other end and got another breakthrough, finishing with 2-12 from 9 overs, another terrific opening spell from Shahid. On another day Shahid’s figures could have been even better; there was an unlucky drop from Nicholson, who was deputising behind the sticks for the absent Baig. Despite having never kept in a competitive game, Nicholson threw himself about behind the stumps and made some great stops for the team (I’m sure he ached the following morning!). Smales Jnr started his spell with expert control, flighting the ball up with great consistency in the fourth stump channel and finding sharp turn. Smales Jnr was very economical, going for only 5 runs through his first 3 overs which is excellent for any bowler, but even more impressive for a leg spinner. Terry joined Smales Jnr in the attack and also showed great precision from the start of his spell. Terry managed to secure an early breakthrough following a smart catch from Waterson at long on. Smales Jnr continued to probe and created several chances, unfortunately the mistimed aerial shots off his bowling repeatedly founds gaps and wouldn’t go to hand. Finally, Smales Jnr created a chance which did go to hand, the batter pulled the ball to short mid wicket, however, Smales Snr was unable to hold on to the catch. Despite this one error, Smales Snr was excellent in the field and made a couple of really good stops. Smales Jnr did then play a key role in the next dismissal, following a chipped slog towards cow corner, Waterson moved round quickly from long on to fire the ball towards the non-strikers end. Waterson’s throw was low and hard, but lacked accuracy, but Smales Jnr acted with great composure to take the ball cleanly a few yards away from the stumps and swiftly throw the ball onto the stumps to run out RMCC’s batter. Terry started to spin his web and wrapped things up taking the final two wickets in his 7th over finished with 3-20 from his spell. Smales Jnr was very unlucky to finish wicketless 0-28 from his 7 overs, but he showed all his skill and potential; his rewards will come as the season progresses for sure! 

RMCC finished 122 all out, giving HBCC a 99-run and maximum points victory.

Player of the match:

The captain POTM was awarded to Waterson for his efforts with the bat and energy in the field.

Tool of today: 

Despite his heroics getting to the match, Smales Snr scoops the award on this occasion, on account of dropping a catch off Smales Jnr’s bowling (hopefully Father’s Day 2025 still went ahead in the Smales household!) and for using Pirelli tyres rather than Michelin.

We wish RMCC all the best for the season and look forward to welcoming them to Squirrel Park later in the year. Our attention now turns to a crucial match against Normanton MIB next weekend in the battle for 2nd place! 

Report written by Waterson