17th May 2025 - HBCC 2nd XI vs Calder Grove CC (A)
Calder Grove elected to bat, and The Bridge opened the bowling with Farzan and Al Heald, both eager to make early inroads. The first breakthrough came via a moment of brilliance in the field—Andy Simpson swooped in and, with one balletic motion, threw down the stumps to run out the opener. With one batsman back in the pavilion, the drama escalated soon after. A highly controversial moment unfolded when Al Heald, following through from his delivery, deftly flicked the ball onto the stumps at the non-striker's end, catching the batsman out of his crease. It appeared The Bridge had removed the second opener as well, but to their frustration, the appeal was turned down and no wicket was given. This proved crucial, as the batsman went on to score a commanding 95, anchoring Calder Grove’s innings and shifting the momentum firmly in their favour.
Not to be deterred, Horbury Bridge battled on with determination. MH claimed his first wicket of the season, a well-earned reward for his persistence, while birthday boy Dan Smales made it a celebration to remember by taking two wickets of his own. However, Captain Dan’s frustration continued, as a couple of strong LBW appeals were turned down, adding to the sense that the decisions weren't falling The Bridge’s way.
With Calder Grove looking to push well beyond 200, The Bridge needed a strong finish—and they delivered. Farzan (3/34) and Al Heald (3/15) produced a superb spell of death bowling, applying pressure at just the right moment. Farzan claimed the prize wicket of the opener on 95, finally ending a pivotal innings, while both bowlers kept the scoring rate in check. Their efforts thwarted Calder Grove’s late charge and saw them bowled out for 189.
The Bridge began their chase with a blend of youth and experience, as Leo Marshall and Mick Mountain took to the crease. Mick got off to a flying start, finding the boundary with some elegant drives along the ground, injecting early momentum into the innings. At the other end, Leo batted with Tim Heald-like composure, unfazed by the chatter around him.
Mick raced to his maiden fifty of the season, timing the ball beautifully and keeping the scoreboard ticking. He eventually fell for an impressive 51, having given The Bridge a strong start. As Calder Grove’s spinners tightened their grip, causing mayhem among the middle order, Leo continued to battle, but with around 10 overs to go, he was dismissed for a hard-fought 27. The remaining batsmen struggled to keep up with the required run rate, as pressure mounted and wickets continued to fall. The Bridge ended their innings on 139, securing two batting points and three bowling points for their efforts. Despite the valiant fight and moments of brilliance, they fell short of the victory they had hoped for, leaving Calder Grove to claim the win.
Man of the Match:
The award goes to Mick Mountain for his entertaining and impactful spell with the bat, which provided a strong platform for The Bridge’s chase.