26th July 2025 - HBCC 1st XI vs Newton Hill CC (H)
1st Innings
Newton Hill win the toss and choose to bat first.
Their opening batsman came out driving from ball 1 managing to get Newton Hill off to a semi-decent start. Our hungover side knew however, a few wickets and we’d be into the tail. Waring, confident he can keep his spot at #1 started as he has been doing all season and picking up wickets in his opening spell. His usual partner Shahid was missing this weekend, therefore vice captain Waterson opened up and bowled a spell that deserved more than the one wicket he got, snicking off behind.
With the pitch playing slow, skipper Dan Nic bought himself on as well as our #1 hockey player Ben Terry. Both getting in on the act with a couple of wickets each. Their tail put up a decent fight and, from a worrying 71-7, they ended up putting up a decent 134. In need for a change to pick up the final wicket, we turned to Jack Waring and with his first ball, managed to get the final wicket with a simple caught and bowled. Newton Hill all out for a defendable 134.
Our fielding was not up to scratch today, with #1 forward defence having an enjoyable couple of days where he has dropped 3 regulation catches. This has undoubtedly increased his love for the game, so much so, he has decided to watch his beloved Huddersfield Town against Leyton Orient next Saturday rather than cash in against Hemsworth 2nds.
2nd Innings
A big decision made by our skip to promote big Josh H as Ben’s new partner for the coming weeks looked to have been a good one. Josh showing us all what he is capable of, by seeing off the opening bowlers and getting out to a spinner 2 weeks in a row, albeit this time trying to play sensibly. It would have been nice if he had got his eye in and channeled the aggression he showed to Mr Forklift during the innings break to their spinner who also got Mr Hockey, top edging another sweep.
K Baig batted positively against the spinner, managing to hit a couple of boundaries down the ground and then nudging him around for singles as the field was pushed back. Sam P, looking less scratchy than usual, got out after a bludgeoning a six against the sight screen. Fiz, getting another chance to impress higher in the order, got a start and got bowled to a halal pie.
This brought Andrew Waterson; who hasn’t hit a boundary since Oulton where he faced a 15 year old lad and 14 year old girl, to the crease. Showing his ability to run between the wickets, he was tap and running full tosses to make his way to a hard earned 8*. K Baig drove NH’s most accurate bowler through the covers and a mis-field enabled the eager runners to run 3 and bring the game home.
HBCC continue their hunt for the championship (if the league still exists next year)
Report by K Baig