Narrow Defeat Against Walsham

Walsham Away 27th April 2008

Walsham won by 3 Wickets

The first game of the season was away to Walsham on a cloudy day with some light rain but not enough to affect the game.

Skipper Roberts lost the toss and Hartest and Coldham were asked to bat first on a decent but green wicket.

Hodge and Ralling made a decent start with 18 before Ralling was bowled for 10.

Vice Captain Bryant was next in and batted well hitting the first and second sixes of the new season taking the score to 49 when the in form Hodge was given out LBW for 15.

Captain Roberts was next in and only three runs were put on when Bryant holed out to a catch for 18 and the total of 53 for 3.

Captain Roberts had some strong hitting and with a partnership of 33 with Ben Atkinson took the score to 95 when third time unlucky for the skipper who was dropped twice but not a third time and departed for a very good 33 followed soon after by Ben Atkinson for 8 and leaving H&CHCC on 95 for 5 after 24 overs and far better than the normal first game of seasons in recent years.

With a score of 130 already mentioned as a winning score the collapse then went into overdrive with the last 5 wickets falling for 18 and worse in only 34 overs and a total way short of required of 113 all out.

After tea and with a great spirit and determination to not let go easily the bowling of Walton and Hodge was terrific and 3 wickets fell very quickly and game on as Walsham were 0 for 3 after 7 overs.

Sadly a very decent partnership of 66 between B Davies and N Bryant steadied the ship and put the advantage back with the home team but a couple of quick wickets from the bowling of Gwatkin and Moriarty made it 90 for 7 in the 25th over and although nerves were there they had time on there side and without a decent catching chance falling to Hartest all game the home side managed to crawl past the winning line in the 31st over to win by 3 wickets.

Overall compared to opening games of the season this was a very good effort and I believe the team can compete in this league and feel this was a game that could easily have been won but the batting out the overs is paramount and giving away cheap wickets will hinder the bowlers if they have nothing to defend but overall the spirit and desire with the humor was good to see and the team had some fun but more so if like the buns at tea we could have had the cherry on top and win the game.

Next up is the game against Withersfield at home 2.00 PM start and come along if you can to support and watch the next fixture.

Markie the Webmaster