Hartest and Coldham Home Win

Brettenham CC 144 All Out

G Bolton 25, J Westcott 24.

B Atkinson 4-29, D Hodge 2-13.

Hartest and Coldham Hall CC  145 For 5

D Hodge 70 Not Out, B Atkinson 47.

Regardless of the result the game was full of good fun, witty comments, a super sportsmanship from both sides which was the best part of the game and will be the overriding memory, plus some very good cricket to some bits of mediocre parts as well which usually ended up with a ribbing one way or another, cricket won today.

It seemed the Webmaster choose to field and we did by committee default as the wicket was damp and rain was forecast at 4 pm.

It turned out to be a good choice more by chance as the opening combination of Hodge and Pearson realised that taking pace off and bowling straight brought more rewards with wickets beginning to fall after the opening pair put on 42.

Snicko  a new recruit more for next season it appears also bowled very well on a wicket that did give a bit to the bowlers but hard work from Peter Richards and the team got a pitch to play with heavy rain the night before, Snicko had the evergreen Richard Carter [green on his kit] stump one victim, and Hodge had a Pearson take a catch at mid wicket in the toilet position.

Pearson also got two wickets in his ten over spell and runs were drying up, however Captain Ben Atkinson got 4 wickets somehow with a mixture of bowling which certainly kept Brettenham guessing and the fielders as well.

A few catches went down, possibly the most memorable was Peter lightening reflex Richards who at slip made a bit of a misjudgement but two or three went down until the returning Hodge caught and bowled the last man with a diving catch we almost thought Tom Daley was in the field with us, but it did bring the end of the Brettenham innings to a close posting a target of 144.

Tea was lovely, and shared between Steve & Zoe Ryder, with David and Anna Hodge, our thanks to them and a lovely tea.

Chasing a small target can be dangerous and at 2 for 2 looked ominous, however the Captain steadied the ship with Richard Carter fending off the new ball attack and just supporting the Captain who played very sensibly, nicking the odd single and despatching the bad ball in the over for the extra runs.

With 38 on the scoreboard Carter who had been dropped a couple of balls before finally holed out which brought in the legend David Hodge who has not played as much cricket this year due to work and family commitments but was lovely seeing the Hodge family at the Richards Oval, he with the Captain turned in a man of the match performance, he played with the skipper taking singles and joining the party with a few sixes with the skipper, in fact 6 sixes to the skipper getting two, however on 47 the skipper was deceived and bowled.

73 on the board and on a wicket that was giving a bit was still some way to go to reach the target, Steve Ryder then played the foil with Hodge, with a poorly knee the desire to play was commendable, however he was very honourable in the spirit of the game and personified the who game, he was at the non strikers end and we've seen the ball belted back towards the umpire, bowler, where the bowler got his foot or heel on the ball the umpire [Webmaster] was taking evasive action to get out of the way did not see if Steve was in or not to give a decision but before I had to say anything, Steve headed off to the pavilion, very appreciated by Brettenham and any sports gods watching, that is the true spirit of the game right there and then, well done Steve.

Niall Hannan then joined Hodge, Hodge passed his fifty, another to the collection, the pair played steadily, the result was becoming more secure for the home team, then in the thirty first over, Hodge hit a ball towards the boundary, they ran three, the required amount to win the game, a great win in a very enjoyable game but the star man of the match with overcoming the conditions showing his class was David Hodge, two wickets, a great catch but the 70 not out secured the victory to Hartest and Coldham Hall Cricket Club.

Virtually everyone went down to the Swan who are superb hosts to the Cricket team providing free Sausages, Cheese, and Chips to both teams in a lovely atmosphere where both teams carried on the good spirits and chatter from times past to present, a thoroughly good game and worth the hard work ahead to keep the club going for just good games with good fun at the heart of it, sadly we can't play Brettenham every week, not for the winning but the spirit of the game.

Next week we do have our furthest away trip of the season at East Bergholt Academy, the Captain will be in touch with you for availability for the next game on the roller coaster.

Webmaster