Hartest do the Teaching against Academy

Hartest and Coldham Hall CC     233  All Out


B Atkinson 78, S Ryder 37, P Richards 26


A Fev  2-0-9-3 [Hatrick]


Woolpit Academy 165 All Out


D Armstrong 5-29




On a sunny afternoon made for cricket Hartest and Coldham came up against a young Woolpit Academy with some experienced heads amongst them to guide there path to future glory but not today.


Hartest won the toss and elected to bat with in form Steve " Ghost" Ryder and Mark Roberts leading the charge with three quick fours from Roberts who was then caught for 12.


David Hodge the talisman for the club go one that kept a bit low he was gone for 8 bringing in the Captain who after last week disappointing performance batted with controlled aggression and timing leading Hartest out of the possible collapse which sometimes is never far away.


Ben Atkinson lead the way with Ryder close behind, well not that close as the skipper went past his fifty spreading the field but keeping a fast run rate laying a base for the team to build on as the innings progressed.


Ryder became unseated with 37 trying to emulate the skipper, caught on the short boundary a shot falling just short of six which the skipper hit 4 sixes two big ones which held up the game often looking for the ball.


Woolpit to there credit gave most of the team a bowl to young and old in the team all part of a growing experience for the future and they must have wondered as the swash bucking Peter Richards came out swinging from the hip with a quick fire 26 including two sixes one of which was a one handed swipe.


The skipper finally was caught to a running catch a very good catch for a massive 78 runs with the total on about 143 for 3 in 22nd over.


Niall Hannan came into bat a bit short on form but with a good base he had a chance to bat himself into some runs which he did as the field was well spread he got himself in with some good discipline shots backed up with Peter Richards who was stumped trying to hit one into the next village.


Jack Armstrong looked full of confidence and played with confidence but went after a long hop and found the fielder - caught 9 disconsolate figure walked back, Hannan and new player James Pope kept the momentum going with some very fast running maximising every run, but to prove Hannan had found form hit possibly his first six for the club even life.


Pope was excommunicated for a brisk but keen innings of 15, as Carter hit a four then also departed as did Josh Borley who hit a terrific shot to the longest boundary and was out first ball to a good catch just inside the rope.


Dave Armstrong walked out in cool confident manor but the batsman had crossed with the ball in mid flight, then Dave walked back in after A Fev [we never got the end of his name] bowled to Hannan to claim his hatrick and end the Hartest and Coldham innings for a very good 233 but short of the 250 which should have been achieved but credit to Woolpit bowlers finishing off the innings.


After tea Jack Armstrong and James Pope led the attack with some sharp bowling on another Peter Richards good batting track he with help had prepared earlier.


Both bowlers were unfortunate not to get anybody out however the strangle hold of the game was that after 12 overs only 35 was scored with the loss of a wicket to a run out with some very good fielding throughout the team.


Woolpit had to up the anti and that led to more runs but more opportunities to the bowlers in the shape of Richard Carter and Peter Richards who saw nearly the champagne moment from Dave "one hand" Armstrong leap like a salmon to grab a sensational catch as it appeared to stick in his hand to then........... yep slip from his grasp but more to come from Dave later.


One very good thing the Woolpit boys learnt was the spirit of the game when C Daniels [didn't go to Georgia] but walked after a fine edge off the bowling of Peter Richards when hardly an appeal was made, good lesson boys.


Enter Dave Armstrong today the luck he had not had for a couple of seasons returned and the dangerous Coombes on 49 at the time saw the leaping salmon again one handed low as low could be off his own bowling [perhaps that's why??] full stretch grab the catch with aplomb to the adulation of the team, great catch.


He didn't stop there as the tail and youngsters appeared plus the slow beginning of the run chase saw the Woolpit team hit balls upwards a lot and James Pope took an equally good running sliding diving catch as was described to me as my back was turned, but not alone from that catch James was awesome in the field with his speed, strength and good throwing arm, lets hope he can play a few more games.


Dave Armstrong was on a roll as the catches were being taken notable in all the wickets falling was Josh Borley behind the stumps taking a couple of very sharp catches and a stumping very good work making up for his batting which he was unfortunate with today.


The five wickets from Dave Armstrong had finished the game long before the captain came on to claim the last bunny with another catch of sharp proportions to Jack Armstrong and end the Woolpit resistance with a decent total of 165 all out.


July 6th Tea, we have Tracey Hannan doing the Sweets but need maybe everyone playing that day to bring a plate of sandwiches or sausage rolls with most team members having contributed we have one gap to fill, Judith Atkinson will try to liaise with the people playing to bring hopefully certain items.


A Few of the players are going up to the pitch Wednesday night for a Net so if your interested then pop along have a bowl, a bat, and a chat.


Lot went on today a good game sorry if I missed your contribution but it's a team game and your part of the win today which brings us to a double header as we play Long Melford away then the following week at home, already we maybe coming up short on players after this week having to many so please if you can help the team out let the Captain know.


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