Expected Defeat at League Leader's Haverhill

Hartest and Coldham Hall CC  -  88 All Out

N Hannan 31, B Atkinson 24,


Haverhill  CC   -   89 for 0

S Hartshorn Not Out 53


   Hartest and Coldham playing a team in theory two leagues apart and destined for greater things with the squad they have succumbed to the inevitable but the greatest margin possible.

   Captain Ben Atkinson fearing forty overs in the field chasing a possible score of 400 won the toss and decided to bat first knowing it was a difficult challenge which was proved losing premium batsman Hodge in the first over for one run to a questionable leg before wicket.

   Niall Hannan was number three joining Steve "Ghost" Ryder who was elevated ten positions from eleven last week to number two this and he also went the way of his opening partner LBW for four runs.

   Captain Ben Atkinson played some super shots across the fast flat outfield at Haverhill, taking the score to a more respectable total with the quality of Haverhill it could be even more embarrassing had they got past the skipper and the belligerent Hannan.

   After seeing off the pace attack the spin bowlers came onto bowl but in the first over a big inside edge saw the skipper bowled for 24 runs and the total to 48.

   Mark Roberts batting slightly down the order joined Hannan and between them had the longest partnership mostly due to two rain breaks where the covers came on a couple of times a little bit to the disgruntlement of Haverhill who could really only see the weather intervening from a sure twenty points.

   Hannan was the fly in the ointment keeping Haverhill at bay but when Roberts was bowled behind his legs for 7 runs this was the start of the end of the innings.

   In form batsman Dave Armstrong was LBW  second ball, this brought M Atkinson to the crease but he watched a succession of wickets falling in a hurry ending the innings not out six, being fourth top scorer give an indication of the collapse in the lower order.

   Haverhill came out after tea and another bout of rain and set about the business of scoring quickly the target required.

   Twelve overs and 38 minutes with two drop catches, Haverhill went past the Hartest and Coldham score with consummate ease to gain the twenty points.

   The two things that were different were that Josh Borley got a chance to bowl and did well the unusual fact was 4 bowlers all bowled three overs each and all went for 21 runs only Mark Roberts coming on at the death lobbed one ball up in the air to be hit for a boundary to win the game had different bowling figures.

   The second item was a youthful Dave Armstrong went behind the stumps as wicket keeper and did okay considering the baptism of fire he got but watch this space if he will again don the gloves.

   On speaking with a Haverhill player they were a first division side who came down after a misdemeanour but realistically should have perhaps stayed in that division but subjected to a minus 60 points before the start of the season, as their punishment is to win all there games easily, win a trophy, and ruin the teams playing in division two, that's to the detriment of the other teams who have done no wrong but hey-hoe it will no doubt sort itself out in the coming season.  

   I believe there is another net practise on Wednesday evening weather permitting and then a home fixture with our good friends Brettenham which is usually a close encounter, so get down to the Richards Oval to support the boys which would be greatly appreciated.

The Webmaster