Win ends to a Successful Season

H&CHCC 188 ALL OUT

Roberts 69, Gwatkin 34, Hodge 29, Walton 18 Not Out.

Tobbitt 4/47, Trott 3/36

Lakenheath III 164 FOR 9

Roberts 4/11, Gwatkin 2/27, Walton 4 Catches and One Run Out.

In the final game of Captain Mark Roberts tenure of H&CHCC he won the toss and in the style of his captaincy decided to bat first with the club already secure in the knowledge of there Division Two status next season a super achievement for the Skipper with in the last three seasons avoiding by the smallest margin of relegation from beyond the point of no return from Division Five to winning promotion back to back and with out a cheating club two years of being Champions and then securing a place in this year Division Two an amazing season we can all be very proud of with such a small but loyal team.

Today’s game was still important to Lakenheath who needed 11 points or a win to keep there status in the Division got an early break through with Hannan being caught for 1 but this brought Captain Roberts to the crease and with Lakenheath opening bowler young 16 year old girl Clevely bowling very well causing both Hodge and Roberts some problems managed to get through this period of play.

A stand of 87 the biggest of the match with Roberts strong hitting and his bit of luck in his last game of forcing the issue scored at a fast rate until Hodge was caught by a low catch for 29 including one big six dropped by M Atkinson beyond the boundary much to the amusement of the rest of the team but not my bruised hand to save a window that was not there after he turned round!

At drinks just over a hundred for 2 and looking good but Roberts of course stealing the show got his fifty but with that wickets began to tumble at the other end very quickly and when Roberts was finally bowled for a very creditable 69 the team were 134 for 7 when Gwatkin and Walton played a very crucial innings with Walton keeping out Lakenheath and Gwatkin big hitting and controlling the strike put on 40 before Gwatkin was bowled and the total 176 for 9 when young Jake Rutter blocked out some balls and led to Walton hitting a huge six and a four the very next ball and on the very last ball trying to take a single for the team to get as many runs Jake Rutter was run out but the ethos for the whole of H&CHCC is for the team and the batting coach who said a million times we bat 40 overs we will win more than we lose and a score on a tricky wicket of 188 was competitive.

Tea was without doubt the best away team tea we had all season and was worth noting but to be honest the home made teas we have at H&CHCC home games spoil us rotten well done to all who contributed to those lovely teas.

Hodge and Richards opened the bowling and the former had the Lakenheath skipper bowled early but a partnership of 62 with Palmer & Trett kept Lakenheath in the game but way behind the rate required but with wickets in hand and after the drinks break there onslaught for staying in the Division began.

Wickets began to tumble and that man Walton had the ball following him everywhere he went and as though he had glue on his hands caught an amazing 4 catches plus a superb run out of his own bowling to put Lakenheath well and truly on the back foot with of course Skipper Roberts bowling in his style it was his day as catches and a sharp stumping from B Atkinson gave him 4 wickets and with a gallant 26 from Tuffs when he was out time was up as well as overs and Lakenheath ended 164 for 9 giving the 20 points to H&CHCC and may well push them higher in the league but condemning Lakenheath to Division three next season.

Won 7 and Lost 7 secured Division Two Status Captain Mark Roberts went out on a win and he was emotional in the club house after when he thanked his team for today and previous seasons for there support. It will not be the last we here of Roberts but and early AGM is being sorted where a new Captain elect will be put in place and a few ideas to help the new captain run the regime.

There will be more to follow for the AGM and the dinner which will be likely be at Boxted Hall.

There will be some facts and figures in due course but will be revealed at the dinner.

Please get your thinking caps on for the AGM ideas such as early player availability, arriving at any match at least 45 minutes before the game starts and much more to put into the pot.

Brief overview for H&CHCC this season can be summoned up in one word SUCCESSFUL!

Markie the Webmaster