Friendly fun at Exning

Exning CC  218 for 8


Roberts 4 - 30


Hartest and Coldham  119 all out.


Colby 5- 31


R Carter 20, Roberts 19, M Atkinson 13.




The annual friendly at Exning started but without difficulty when getting eleven players proved impossible however Captain Ben Atkinson managed to get 9 players plus borrowed the two Ian's Turner and Young to help out which was very good of Exning plus the players involved who enjoyed themselves in the process.


The game situated similar to Augusta in the USA in the Park a lovely back drop plus a very fast outfield indeed not ideal when a few were carrying some nasty injuries limping out or could not bowl but this did not distract the fact Exning won the toss and batted.


The first over was eventful as Steve "the ghost rider" fell second ball he bowled as his knee collapsed under him, he bravely struggle to him feet to finish the over and on the last ball got an edge which dismissed Lomas for 5 a smart catch from Josh Borley who kept very well behind the stumps plus found a very useful cricket Charley Long.


K Judge the Exning opener also carrying an injury played some very nice shots with a partnership with M Singh of 61 before Exning new boy Charley Long  had him caught by Captain of the Day Niall "Safe Hands" Hannan for 23.


The fast outfield meant if the ball was between fielders you did not catch it, so the fielding was on the whole pretty good but short on bowlers it was a batsman paradise as Judge ended up on 55 giving his wicket away crossed batted bowled by Turner.


Captain of Exning Simon Allen after finding Charley Long difficult missing a few outside off stump got to grips with the early season rust went onto score 59 before also hole ling out to a catch from Ian Turner off the bowling of Mark Roberts who was bowling very well back from his shoulder injury operation which he equalled plus surpass his wicket haul of last season in one after noon as his mesmerising bowling went on to take another couple of wickets with some young Exning stars of the future being seduced by his bowling ending up with 4 good wickets.


Exning had amassed 218 for at tea which Mrs Atkinson did which was well received and a nice cup of tea before Mr A got on with the washing up he ended up opening the batting with the Skipper Niall Hannan who first ball of the innings edged one behind for golden  not the best of starts but that's why we play friendlies.


Mark Atkinson had a charmed first over hitting three fours but on two occasions could have been caught, Josh Borley was bowled coming in at number three then a triple partnership of Atkinson, Jack Sasi plus extras, one opening bowler 15 started very well but like being young tried to bowl a bit to fast and gave a away some extras which kept Hartest and Coldham on track for the run rate required.


M Atkinson was the next to go his 40 minute vigil was over with a slight edge behind and the score on 51 for 3 the big man arrived at the crease, sadly I was washing up but he was not playing to many forward defensive shots made a brisk 20 before a ball squeezed through his defences and rolled onto the stumps.


Jack Sasi was V Colby first of five wickets the young lad was a slow spinner and to tempting to many with three of his victims caught, but if you missed you were bowled as the last two in his five wicket haul, Sasi, Roberts, Charley Long, Steve Ryder, and Richard Carter who bowled well saw a lot of the ball in the field plus got 20 runs top score a very good effort indeed.


It was good to see Peter the legend  Richards back on the pitch still nursing a few wounds but batted in his style plus bowled a few overs very well, hopefully see more as the season progresses, he was caught for 9.


The last two in were the borrowers no not the movie but the Exning pair and Ian Turner had got to ten but sadly as we started with a golden duck we ended it with a golden duck as Ian Young was last man out in the 26th over leaving the total of 119 all out.


The day was again a successful fun filled day with everyone getting a bat or bowl or both, sadly not fielding 11 players was very disappointing as at the AGM we thought we could fulfil the fixture lets hope things improve if we are to carry on.


Hartest and Coldham would like to thank Exning CC for their hospitality and Tony Catley helping us out with a couple of players, we wish them well in the future fixtures in the league with every success. 


Next Game is in two weeks at home to Tendring Park after the Easter break.


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