28th June 2025 - HBCC 1st XI vs Stainborough CC (A)

HBCC got back to winning ways with a hard fought victory against a good SCC side, finally breaking the long streak of defeats at this venue! 

First innings

Having won the toss on another scorching Saturday, Nicholson decided HBCC would have a bat first. Before a ball was bowled, SCC’s star player (Abson) duped the HBCC boys by arriving at 12.55pm, just as hopes had started to rise that he wasn’t playing. Nevertheless, Grogan and Terry strode out to the middle hoping to set a good platform. Grogan got straight into his work, smoking the ball to the boundary on four occasions before being dismissed for 22, for a solid 38-run stand for the 1st wicket. Terry took on the more watchful role, getting his eye in, but hit the shot of the day with an exquisite straight drive early in his innings which was straight out of the textbook, as he started to find his rhythm. Baig 8, Perkin 18, Shahid 7 and Waterson 12 all came and went fairly cheaply around Terry who was anchoring the innings, as HBCC lost wickets at regularly intervals as they struggled to build a real meaningful partnership. Unfortunately Terry was then dismissed for 35, having done his job seeing off the new ball and getting his high score for the season. Womersley and Saleem paired up together at the crease with HBCC 119-6 after 31.3 overs, with HBCC still some way off a par score on a good pitch with a quick outfield. The pair navigated a couple of overs together before launching their counter attack on SCC’s bowling attack. “The Wiggly Worm” (Womersley) initially took the lead, targeting the straight boundary and hitting a mighty six over long off to one of the longest straight boundaries we will see all season. Saleem “The Dream” joined the act hitting a lusty blow over extra cover, as he continued the great form he has shown all season. Womersley 34 and Saleem 39 would eventually be dismissed but they had added some much needed impetus and valuable runs. Hussain 1 and Waring 2 were the final wickets to fall as Nicholson was left stranded on 9 not out, as HBCC finished the innings 203 all out from 45.2 overs, securing maximum batting points. 

Second innings

The dazzling duo took the new ball as always. Shahid started proceedings with one of the best first overs ever bowled at HBCC, shaping the ball away from the right handers with the slope, instigating several plays and misses. With Shahid’s 4th ball he cleaned up SCC’s Baker, who had been averaging 189 coming into the game, as Shahid finished with a tremendous wicket-maiden. Shahid has started the season bowling really well, but possibly not to the same level as last season, however, over the past few games, especially this one, Shahid has shown he is getting back towards his best. SCC settled things down for a while until Waring struck, as he has done all season, dismissing the dangerous Tyas following a sharp catch from Womersley in cover. Shahid then got another wicket of his own, as SCC’s destructive middle order was called upon. Waterson replaced Waring 1-39 as Brown arrived at the crease, he was greeted with a Chinese cut off middle stump ball one, but had his revenge a ball later. Brown edged the ball sharply towards Hussain in gully who left like a gazelle but could only parry the ball upwards as he dived, fortunately, Saleem was there to support and clung on to the catch at backward point in unusual circumstances. With that wicket, star man Abson came to the crease to join the set Beck who was starting to find his rhythm. From 64-4, the pair confidently built a 65-run partnership with some great shot-making against Waterson 1-21 and Perkin 0-18; Turkish Hairlines in particular got given the treatment, as he was dispatched for a monstrous 100 metre plus six. The pair made way for Terry and Womersley, as Nicholson opted to take pace off it. HBCC knew the 5th wicket was key and remained patient and level headed despite the growing partnership which included several lucky edges from Beck’s bat. Following a neat and tidy start from Terry and Womersley, Terry made the huge breakthrough, dismissing Beck for 60, to leave SCC 129-5. HBCC knew the game still wasn’t over, despite this huge dismissal, as we’ve seen Abson win games against us on his own previously. HBCC targeted the other batsman, as Terry 3-16 and Womersley 2-30 worked perfectly in tandem to build the pressure, which told as both took regular wickets, to pin SCC back to 157-9. With Abson still there, it still felt like it was game on. Nicholson brought Shahid back on who delivered as always, at last dismissing Abson for 37, as Shahid finished with 3-32. 

HBCC bowled SCC all out for 158 from 34.2 overs, giving HBCC a 45-run, maximum 16-point victory.

Player of the match

The captain POTM was awarded to Terry for a terrific all round display, as he continues to work his way back to the form everybody expects. There were a number of excellent supporting performances in what was a great team performance; Womersley ran Terry close for the award with his excellent all round performance and Saleem and Shahid made great contributions with the bat and ball respectively. 

Tool of Today

As it was such a good team performance, it was difficult to choose, however, Hussain scooped the award on this occasion. Hussain arrived at the crease with only a few overs to go, so had to play aggressive from ball one. SCC’s slow loopy spinner gave Hussain a quicker ball but then followed it up with a slow loopy moon ball. Unfortunately, Hussain was a couple of minutes early on the shot (yes, I mean minutes and not seconds…), as he had to painfully watch the ball go on to hit his stumps. It was an amusing moment to watch, but it was a great illustration of what an amazing team player Hussain is as he tried to kick things on for the team with no concern for his own averages. Hussain has been bludgeoning opposition bowlers to all parts over the last few weeks and he will certainly be back doing that in the coming weeks. As a word of warning, if Mr Baig doesn’t get into double figures with the bat next week vs Thurnscoe, you are in the firing line for the dreaded TOT award. 

It was an entertaining and enjoyable match throughout, thanks to the hosts SCC, we wish you well for the rest of the season and look forward to welcoming you to Squirrel Park in September.