H&CHCC Fail at Earl Stonham but go Down Fighting

H&CHCC 91 All Out

Bryant 32 Roberts 26 M Atkinson 9

P Dix 7.1 3 15 6

Earl Stonham 93 For 7

D Armstrong 3 for 20, N Rutter 2 for 16


In a match which was a 40 pointer and two struggling teams it was not a surprise that it ended in a low scoring match.

Probably the most important and last chance saloon to stay in the Division II the H&CHCC without being disrespectful were rather short on Batting and Bowling for this afternoon encounter.

Captain Billy Ray Bryant won the toss and decided to bat first and after three balls B Atkinson was dismissed caught at square leg for 0 which brought in M Roberts who with Bryant moved the score on to recover from the early set back.

They both played well within themselves and responsibly but with a fast outfield and new hard ball runs came quickly the pair went past there 50 partnership before the old gremlins came back and one loose shot from Roberts ended his innings to a difficult catch in the deep.

Roberts had scored a creditable 26 and this brought M Atkinson in at number 4 but an over or so later the bowling of Dix down the slope finally got Captain Bryant out bowled for a top score of 32.

I Copping came in at 5 but with so few games under his belt he went caught behind off the bowling of Dix after three balls.

The wickets continued to tumble from there on in with Atkinson 9 third top score, and with only 10 more runs from the bat H&CHCC ended there innings all out for 91, Dix taking 6 wickets.

After tea which was one of the best we have had on our travels Earl Stonham started what they thought would be an easy run chase.

Dave Armstrong and young son Jack Armstrong bowled exceptionally well tying down Stonham with some great swing bowling which brought quick rewards as D Armstrong took two wickets in two balls which brought in the very dangerous Tunstall who survived the hat trick ball scoring a boundary off it.

If H&CHCC wanted anything from the match they had to remove him but kindly he ran out a team member taking a near impossible single smart work between B Atkinson and J Armstrong ran out Turner leaving Earl Stonham on 10 for 3.

S Lewis the Captain you could say played a back up roll as he tried to support Tunstall who was trying to dominate the bowling until J Armstrong removed the danger man with a smart catch being taken by M Atkinson which gave real hope for a surprise victory.

Lewis was still pushing the ball back and his partner Storer who looked very unsteady at the start kept picking off the odd bad ball and as the overs were slowly going it became more obvious that the two batsmen were trying to see of the Armstrong attack.

Storer was dropped behind to a very difficult catch behind the stumps when standing up but with such a small target to defend and the cloud cover had gone the Stonham batsman had got used to the conditions.

With the change of bowlers Roberts and Rutter entered the fray Rutter was soon on line and length with the reward of the wicket of Storer LBW for 27 and at the start of his next over he took another wicket of R Double.

S Lewis was still in and with extras scoring 28 and with them hanging around the total was getting closer. Lewis had 61 balls for his 7 not out and in typical fashion the winning runs came in the form of 4 byes.

With a slightly stronger side the H&CHCC could easily have won however the team fought exceptionally well taking 7 wickets and making Earl Stonham sweat for this victory.

The game was played in a good spirit and the H&CHCC fielding was probably one of there best performances of the season and can take this into next weeks difficult game at home to Hadleigh one of the teams in the promotion race.

A Mention to young Jake Rutter playing his first game of the season with a late call up for I Copping and the very eager Micheal Durell who had some good news to deliver that he and his wife are expecting there first child next March so congratulations to you both another one for the H&CHCC creche.

Foot note to Mr RALLING in last match report the name was spelt wrong which was taken straight out of the score book which has also been changed and the webmaster was clearly vindicated in this incident. Mrs Webmaster has been whipped and Mr Webmaster enjoyed it thoroughly!!!!!

Markie the Webmaster