Fantastic First win in Division Two

Stowmarket CC     236 For 2


D Watling 190 Not Out


Hartest and Coldham Hall CC      237 For 1


B Atkinson 140 Not Out, D Hodge 52 Not Out, M Roberts 33




First game of a new season one of trepidation as the last time Hartest and Coldham ventured into the higher echelon's of Division Two the team did not win a game all season after being put up from lower position and again this season the team were put up again.


Coming in a bit despondent seeing the home side out 236 on the board for the loss of two wickets was a bit of here we go again but the Captain remained optimistic and believed that we could make such a target. 


The beginning started well with the Captain Ben Atkinson winning the toss and inserting the Stowmarket team, the difference being both innings now have a new ball so the insertion is not as critical as it once was, however two early wickets from Vice Captain Richard Carter plus another from Charlie Long which swung in from way out side leg to bowl the very surprised Stow number three as he left it but was mesmerised when he heard the bails getting knocked off all set fair for the Hartest and Coldham team.


However D Watling who had scored two previous hundreds against Hartest and Coldham went on to be the nemesis again as he with young Tillbrook put on 208 runs with Watling scoring the majority ending on 190 not out with his partner 16 not out.


Hodge and his regular opening buddy Roberts started the reply and Roberts was his normal lustful self in the cricketing terms and had a bit of luck with two dropped catches went his way until the third time the wicket keeper had time to run out past the square leg umpire and dive full length to hang onto the catch to dismiss Roberts for 33.


Captain Ben Atkinson entered the fray and with David Hodge batted superbly, the Stowmarket team were spread very early and the ball was hammered to the boundary on many occasions with the Stowmarket pitch being enormous there was a lot of running but Atkinson crunched 9 massive sixes numerous 4s and along with David Hodge playing the important calming steady role just took the Stowmarket attack to shreds.


Long before the end was in sight for Stowmarket the game was up and in the 32nd over Ben Atkinson smashed the huge six to wrap up the game and get the preverbal monkey off the teams back with such an early win in Division Two.


Ben Atkinson reached his hundred and did David Hodge make his fifty, fantastic effort chasing down such a stiff target but the team were overjoyed with their performances and can move on with confidence that the team can compete in Division Two.


Next week the team have there first game at home against Thurston so please come along and support the team and see where that takes us.


I have added an old favourite back to the website of a cartoon giving out the man of the match plus a not so glamorous skull and cross bones putting someone on the naughty boys step, all for fun and nothing more, I can assure you we will all be on one more than the other, so check it out.


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