Earl Stonham 108 All Out

Extra's 27 [20 Wides]

Hartest and Coldham Hall CC 112 For 1

Roberts 58, D Armstrong 31 Not Out, B Atkinson 16 Not Out.


   Hartest and Coldham Hall are defying the odds with a weakened side through holidays and family commitments plus a late call up of Jake Rutter [Thank You].

   Hot summer day can hardly believe I am typing those words after three jumper weather the sun shone superbly in the sky for a real game of cricket as it should be, hot, sticky and just wonderful.

   Will i am lost the toss and every cricket book says bat or if it was Mark Roberts book, bat,bat, bat, so we were in the field all sun creamed up amazingly.

   One late change Benjamin Atkinson was under the weather for a late morning getting in was not up to keeping wicket so out of retirement Mark Atkinson put on the gloves and was soon into the action after a small edge flew to him but was lucky to stop it let alone catch it, however such high standards he has wished he had some practise since the previous season.

   Jack Armstrong was firing in the ball in such a furious fury the Stonham batsmen were pleased to survive the onslaught with Dan Tatum possible making a new record with four wides in first four balls to an opening spell after a few weeks out injured.

   Finally a break through with 27 on the board after 11 overs Edgar edged Tatum fast into the slip area where Mark Roberts took a catch where he looked in a bit of shock as he clung onto it very well indeed.

   Dan Tatum was on fire as it was very hot and with his next ball clean bowled Wrinch for a first ball duck, Earl Stonham were finding it very tough to score runs, the Hartest fielding even in the heat was sharp.

   Jack Armstrong finally got his deserved wicket when a lash outside the off stump from Martin saw Captain Bryant take a dropping catch and at half way 46 for 4 was a super effort by the Hartest team.

   Dave Armstrong came on with a bad back found it difficult but still got the wicket of Turner for ten being caught by the awake again Ben Atkinson in the covers again a sharp well taken catch.

   Shaun Faires was bowling from where Jack Armstrong had been and if Earl Stonham thought a chance to progress to post a score the deadly accurate bowling from Faires proved to difficult taking the wicket of S High in his second over.

   Nick Rutter came on with his spin king style, kept Stonham at bay even though they tried to hit out to the point that Eade tried a quick run off the bowling of Faires only to find the eagle in Dave Armstrong swoop down on the ball return like an arrow hitting the stumps running Eade out for two.

   Faires just bowling straight managed another wicket when Jordan Marlow took a good catch, almost as though he had not been away after not playing last season [welcome back Jordan] but Faires next ball clean bowled Storer for yet another hat rick ball but alas to no avail this time.

   The last pairing put up a spirited defence creeping the total over the 100 and crawled a few more before Nick Rutter bowled King to end the innings on 108 all out in the 38th over.

   A lovely tea the only question was who was going to open with Roberts as Hodge was not playing and the man who last year started to find his confidence at number 11 against Earl Stonham was the man to be there nemesis this year with his confidence abound took centre stage.

   Roberts words in the dressing room were of being a wall to block so was no surprise first ball smashed it back past the bowler for four runs and the big man was simply unstoppable hitting the ball to the boundary many times in 5 overs 47 on the board [if you recall earlier at 20 overs Stonham were 46 for 4] which gives you a taster for the total annihilation of the Stonham attack.

   Although Roberts was the focal point initially Dave Armstrong earned his opening spot with some controlled shots of his own backing up the big man and scoring runs at a decent rate keeping the wickets intact.

   The bowlers were changed a few times but Roberts played superbly which earned his man of the match status as he simply took the game away from Earl Stonham so much so that he flew past fifty in 28 balls however shortly after that the heat possibly taking his toll he was bowled for 58 by Wrinch which included 12 fours and a massive six, the game was almost up at 77 for 1 in only the 10th over.

   Ben Atkinson joined Dave Armstrong who on his way to 31 not out hit 7 fours and with Benjamin Atkinson also hitting only boundaries four the target was passed before the end of the 14th over an amazing 9 wicket win.

   Fantastic result with great team effort has meant that Hartest and Coldham have won their first three games which is almost unheard off for a long time.

   Peter Richards was also up supporting the team still on one crutch but always good to see him plus other loyal supporters Ron and Margaret all round a good day plus just in case I can't type this again Top of the League!!!!
  
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