Another Defeat Against the League Leaders

Hartest and Coldham Hall CC    65 All Out


R Carter 21, M Atkinson 16.


Walsham CC  69 For 2.


O Jackson Not Out 44




Hartest and Coldham struggled to get 11 players this week, although many efforts and people asked this week the team only had nine, against a prospect of the league leaders coming to town.


The thought of chasing around for 40 overs was none to pleasant so when Richard Carter vice Captain but Captain for the day in the absence of Ben Atkinson won the toss he decided very quickly to bat first.


Josh Borley and Richard Carter opened and Forbes rattled in very quickly and soon dismissed Josh Borley with a brute of a ball lifting and he edged it behind, the exact same thing happened to Peter Richards in at number three with the exception he hit a four.


Walsham soon realised that not only nine players but the depth in batting was also limited and Forbes plus opening bowling partner came off with the second line bowlers getting a go much earlier in proceedings.


Mark Roberts ended his run of two ducks when he managed a single and raised his bat in triumph, short lived sadly two runs later he trouped back to the dressing room.


Richard Carter and Mark Atkinson put on the most runs together, coming together at about 20 for 4, albeit lesser front line bowlers they toiled and tried to dig in but the inevitable was always going to happen, Carter was caught for 21 which was the top score for Hartest in the end.


Mark Atkinson was joined by promoted Nick Rutter who swept a four off his legs nicely but holed out to a diving catch for 5, then shortly after Mark Atkinson chipped up very tamely for a catch for 16.


Shaun Faires tried to get Archie Roberts a run but in doing so ran himself out, Sam Holder much missed through work commitments hit a nice boundary but was left stranded when Archie Roberts was bowled, ending the innings on 65 all out which was better than the previous week 49 with 11 players but very scant reward nevertheless all being said and done.


Tea was taken and in part the best part of the day for the home side, Rosie Roberts and Mark with a tart from Josh made for a delicious tea.


Sam Holder opened the bowling and swung the ball well having the openers in some discomfort, but under no illusions the game was over before a ball had been bowled in the day, Holder did get his reward when Butler chipped straight back to him.


This brought in Walsham version of Ben Atkinson I was told a man in form smacking the ball all over averaging 100 plus, needless to say he did not hang about and crashed the ball to the boundary a few times in a hurry, bringing a bowling change very quickly as the runs to defend were disappearing fast.


Spitfire or Hurricane was a bit premature as it flew over us and did a victory roll but Walsham were not quite there just yet.


Last week it was spoke about a champagne moment that we had not had one this season, but today it was probably won who topped off last season with two catches by sticking his arm up and if you were there saw a one handed catch to miraculous levels. Rutter bowling, Baker comes down hits a hard high ball over deep mid off, Dave Armstrong turns runs towards the boundary his little legs sprinting away and not even looking at the ball going over his head........ he sticks his hand out in front of him and yep..... champagne moment.


Ollie Jackson was a good guy he batted down a maiden over from Archie Roberts who had bowled it well, it was Bobby George hit the winning run in the 13th over to end the game with Jackson not out 44.


Even with a full team out we would certainly have given them a better game, with only three games left hopefully we will have a few Farmers back, holiday people back and we can finish the season off in style.


Just a footnote, to say thank you to Ron and Margaret [plus Luke Rutter] who came up to support the team through thick and thin, just lately its been a bit thin but the next game is not far away to put that right.


The Captain who was in Barcelona was burgled one night and then had his phone stolen the next evening, so with Bardwell coming up next week it maybe a facebook message through the site, another phone if he gets it replaced or my phone about availability.


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