BHCC 2s vs SACC 1s

The first league game between the two neighbours ever, well for as long as this author can remember produced over 400 runs, only ten wickets on what was a batting paradise at St John’s. It also brought a win for BHCC 2s to maintain top spot after 8 games of the season.

SACC skipper Ollie Brookes called incorrectly at the toss and BHCC elected to bowl. James Hayden-Smith and Alex Ellis made a great start using the quick outfield to their advantage and punishing a few loose balls. Akeem Ifill was bowling with good pace but it was definitely a batting wicket and only when Ellis misjudged an inswinger from Ifill (in picture at bottom) was the first breakthrough made. Ifill (2-38) repeated the trick on Hayden-Smith and SACC had two new batsmen in, Adam Hills and Nick Elkins. Both looked good too until BHCC skipper Matt Charman (1-32) snuck one through Elkins and then the 4th wicket fell to a brilliant bit of fielding. Dan Austin playing his first 2s game of the year had only one stump to aim at from a quick single but did it brilliantly to run out Hills. Dan Maskell (1-46) from the Park Road end then removed Ben Noble and SACC were suddenly in a little trouble for the first time in the game. However Ollie Brookes (45 n/o) and the returning Ryan Box (39 n/o) batted very well in a very solid partnership to firstly negate the bowling then hit valuable runs at the end. SACC finished 206 for 5 off their 47 overs. Both teams view at tea was that on that pitch it looked a little short, maybe by 20-25 runs, so we were happy to restrict them even though we couldn’t get them out. But they batted very well.

A lovely Smart tea was taken and we set about chasing it down. Phil Wickwar and Teddy Churchyard opened up and matched the good start SACC made with the bat with both openers showing how to run singles and take the boundaries on offer. Teddy even nearly hit a six! Wickwar (32) was punishing the loose balls brilliantly till he was bowled trying to hit Alex Ellis with a slog sweep. Teddy then was adjudged LBW to Hayden-Smith for an excellent 39, quickly followed by Shaun Kevern who was caught well in the slips again to Hayden-Smith (2-39). It was an excellent start by the BHCC openers but SACC sensed they were back in the game three wickets taken and with Akeem Ifill and Ian Simpson at the crease. However both these batsmen are class acts with Ifill and Simpson drilling the ball around the ground plus rotating the strike SACC shoulders visibly dropped as the run rate went up for the home side. It became simply a game of whether or not SACC could get the remaining 7 wickets and when Elkins (2-17) removed Ifill for 41 and then Martyn Box for 6 they had a small chance if they could take another couple quickly. However Matt Charman (16 n/o) and MOM Big Simmo with 55 not out shut the door quickly, with Simpson fittingly applying the coup de grace hitting the winning runs effortlessly over midwicket to take a 20 point win.

So all in all an excellent win for BHCC on what was a cracking wicket and one which proved too hard for either side to bowl each other out on. SACC played very well but I think BHCC just had the extra ability with the bat on the day chasing down a decent score comfortably at end, albeit not without a customary wobble. The 2s move to another tough local derby game at Ansty on Saturday to wrap up the first half of the season.

A few thank you’s after our last home game in the first half of the season from the 2s.

Firstly to SACC for a good game, but importantly also after the game our tea-team including the BHCC skippers wife commented on how polite and nice the SACC team were, plenty of thank you’s for tea, this truly doesn’t always happen all the time so well done. It really is appreciated.

Clearly we also owe a big thank you to Janet, Sue Barnes and all those who help us with teas on Saturdays as it makes it so much easier to just play, we are lucky to have you. Richard and the bar-team also do a brilliant job keeping us going with the bar revenue day and night and thanks to all of you for your efforts.

Also a big thanks to all the regulars who come down and watch our games at home and have a few drinks with the kids, the Wards, the Kayes, Dave and the usual suspects to name but a few – it is much appreciated and great to see, thank you.

We are lucky to have the help of Steve Medhurst who is proving in the BHCC skippers eyes to be the best umpire in the league – it’s great to have him back at the club.

Finally to the groundstaff, a belter of a pitch, both teams paid compliments about it and it is the result of all your hardwork. Jeffers, Wickers, Mike, Plum well done and thank you to have a ‘park’ pitch looking and playing that good is some achievement.

Matt Charman