5th July 2025 - HBCC 1st XI vs Thurnscoe Institute CC (H)

HBCC concluded the promising first half of the season with another victory, moving up to 3rd in the league with 7 wins and 3 losses. 

First innings:

Nicholson lost the toss, TICC elected to bowl first. Groganzola (Grogan) and Tezla (Terry) opened up for the full strength HBCC; both wily veterans have come into form as of late with the bat and hoped to continue it into this match. Gorganzola delivered some early impetus into the innings, as he struck a quartet of eye catching boundaries to get HBCC off to a good start, as the TICC openers struggled with their line and length early on. Gorganzola was then trapped LBW for a well constructed 21 putting on 37 for the first wicket. The under pressure Baig (because of my TOT call-out in last week’s match report!), joined Tezla in the middle and started to build a good partnership taking regular singles and hitting the bad balls when offered up. Baig was then the unfortunate recipient of the lesser spotted worm burner and was trapped plumb in front for 20, leaving HBCC 75-2 and Terry Snr (groundsman) a little bit sheepish (Lonsdale Snr, was a little less sympathetic, as you’d expect…). Turkish Hairlines (Perkin) had a short stay in the middle with Tezla as he ran himself out for an eight ball 0, calling Tezla through for a quick single despite being flat footed and running in treacle. Shahid was next in and added 10 before getting bowled by Newton, who was TICC’s best bowler on the day. With HBCC 102-4 and in a little bit of bother, the saviour himself - Waterson “The Wizard”, joined Tezla in the middle, who had played watchfully for the opening 34 overs. Tezla decided to put his foot down as he launched an assault on TICC’s spinner, who had been bowling well up to that point, as he smashed him for 14 off an over to take him past 50 and included Tezla’s first six of the season to cow corner. Having put on 50 for the fifth wicket, The Wizard had to depart for 17 as he was bowled with a jaffa which swung away, nipped in off the seam and took the top of off stump (definitely not an agricultural mow to cow corner…), leaving HBCC 152-5. Saleem “The Mean Machine” joined Tezla in the middle and added a valuable 16 before departing. Hussain then came and went for 0 (first baller), as he tried to add quick runs late in the innings. Waring was the next man in as Tezla took centre stage smashing the TICC’s bowlers to all parts, closing in on HBCC’s first century in a league match for the 1st team since 2019 (not a great stat really!). Tezla eventually brought up his ton with a four through the covers in what was an exceptionally composed innings where he didn’t look in trouble at any stage as he carefully accumulated runs throughout. Tezla was dismissed the ball after bringing up his milestone for 102 trying to add quick runs. Nicholson joined Waring at the crease with a couple of overs remaining, Waring hit the shot of the day with a sublime drive back past the bowler as he finished 6* with Nicholson also finishing unbeaten 7*. 

HBCC finished the innings 208-8 from 46 overs, achieving full batting points in the process.

Second innings: 

With a decent total posted with the bat, Waring and Shahid took the new ball. Both lads were on it from ball one bowling very tight until things kicked into life in the fourth over. Waring angled one into the TICC opener with the ball flicking off the player and being snaffled behind the stumps by Baig. The TICC was angry with the decision and the game was paused for several minutes as a disturbance took place (I initially provided my account of this within this report, however, have redacted this as the a formal report is being submitted to the league). With the disturbance put to one side and dealt with by the umpire, the game resumed. Waring and Shahid were clearly not affected by the events, as both continued to bowl really well. Waring then went on an absolute tear, taking wicket after wicket, dismissing TICC top and middle order. Waring was ably supported in the field with fine catches from Baig, Waterson and Grogan, as he went well beyond his five-for, finishing with figures 8-21 from 8 overs, taking him to 31 wickets at only the halfway point in the season (!!!!!). It was a remarkable spell from Waring, what was especially strange was it was arguably not the best spell he’s bowled all season, he probably bowled better at St Chads in particular, but it only goes to show the progress he’s been making as an opening bowler that he can get 8 wickets without being at his best! Shahid arguably bowled just as well as Waring on the day, but finished 1-14 from 7 overs as he repeatedly made TICC’s batters play and miss. Shahid has been going from strength to strength with the ball in recent weeks, with his pace picking up and unerring accuracy returning to the lofty levels we expect; his rewards will come for certain if he continues in the vein (as Waring has seen). Hussain was brought into the attack to help run through the tail, he bowled great areas himself finding plenty of shape and took the final wicket, finished with 1-5 from his brief spell as he showed lots of promise. TICC were bowled all out for 45 runs.

HBCC won by 163-runs, achieving maximum points in the process. 

Player of the match: 

The captain POTM was awarded to Waring for his sublime bowling performance. 

Tool of today:

This was one of the easiest to pick so far this season, Turkish Hairlines (Perkin) easily secured this weeks award with his masterclass in how not to run between the wickets.

Thanks to the umpire on what was a challenging day, we wish TICC all the best for the season, I’m sure it’ll be an interesting return fixture at their place! As I’m away next week, somebody else will be filling in to write the match report - I’m sure it won’t be quite as entertaining (or long), but I wish my short term replacement all the best!

Report by Waterson