2s Draw

Match Report; Ickleford v Hoddesdon 2's

Hoddesdon travelled to Ickleford this Saturday and looked for another victory to keep their chances high of challenging for promotion. Hoddesdon bowled first on a very green wicket and opener Shaun Brown was getting the ball to fly over the batsman's head on a full length on a very springy surface. Brown then got the wicket of the Giggle for 4 and Ickleford were 6-1. Cuffaro started well but became inconsistent and couldn't get the ball in the right areas. Cuffaro was then taken off and replaced by Maughan who did manage to find some good areas with a little extra pace. Brown then got another wicket getting the no 3 batsman Willoughby nicking behind which keeper Purves took. After an excellent first spell from Brown, Adam Sturdy was brought on and immediately found good areas and posed problems to the batsman. Opener Mullins clearly snicked behind to Purves from Sturdy's bowling however the umpire made a shocking decision giving the batsman not out. However, Sturdy looked for revenge and got him out a few balls later with Purves taking an excellent catch. With Ickleford at 61-3 Hoddesdon fancied themselves to skittle them out for a low score. However, Ben Mason and Peter Robinson slowly built a partnership together frustrating the fielding side. Sturdy then got the wicket of Mason for 37 and then Brown was caught behind off his first ball leaving Sturdy on a hat trick. His hat trick ball was a beauty but couldn't find the outside edge off Wagstaff's bat. Robinson and Wagstaff then put on a partnership together of 57 until a great catch from Cuffaro from the bowling of Harry Mason eventually got Wagstaff out. Mason then picked up 2 more wickets towards the end getting Robinson out and Day. Cuffaro was also brought back on at the end and picked up a wicket. Ickleford managed to bat out the 53 overs and finished on 190-9.

After Tea, Animal and promoted Achillea looked to start well against the opening attack. However, Animal was out early on LBW for just 6. However, this brought Angelini to the wicket who with Achillea batted slow but sensibly. Their partnership was worth 59 until Angelini was out LBW unluckily for 33 due to the ball shooting low. Purves then came in, and again with Achillea built a partnership. Purves did hit some good shots to the boundary but Achillea was out bowled for 38. However, in form Brown was next to come in and tried to up the run rate along with Purves. However, Brown was out caught at mid off for 15 trying to hit over the top leaving Hoddy on 144-4. Adam Sturdy came in at 6 but shortly after Purves was out bowled and Hoddy were struggling. Cuffaro then came in but Sturdy was caught out at deep on the leg side after absolutely nailing it straight to the fielder. Grover came in but Hoddy's chances of winning slimmed as Grover struggled to hit it out. Cuffaro was then out for 2 after a leading edge and by that time Hoddy settled for the draw and finished 168-7 with Grover and Mason not out without scoring.

After a long day in the heat, Hoddesdon were disappointed with the draw but will look to next week for all 30 points at Welwyn Garden City.