3rd XI SHCL
Matches
Sat 11 Jul 2015  ·  Regional Division A East
Hoddesdon Cricket Club
3rd XI SHCL
74
210/7
Old Elizabethans CC, Herts - 3rd XI
Barber cut above the rest as hoddesdon falter against Old Elizabethans

Barber cut above the rest as hoddesdon falter against Old Elizabethans

Rhys Jones15 Jul 2015 - 20:19
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Barber cuts hoddesdons winning streak short

Barber a Cut above the Rest as Hoddesdon Falter against Old Elizabethans

Hoddesdon 3rd XI’s impressive five-match winning run was halted abruptly last Saturday, as they were comprehensively beaten by table-toppers Old Elizabethans at Roydon. Old Elizabethans’ skipper Jonathon Mackman won the toss and elected to bat on a fine wicket, and this decision was vindicated as the visitors began confidently.

Terry Savanhu and Aidan McElligott opened the bowling for the hosts, with Savanhu providing the pace and aggression, whilst McElligott provided the consistency and probing line and length. However, Andy Vernon and James Barber nullified this threat confidently, punishing any indifferent delivery with clinical ease.
They amassed an opening stand of 58 in relatively quick time, before Vernon misjudged a slower delivery off Josh Gorton’s bowling and chopped on for 36.

Glenroy Hylton was next to the crease and he made his attacking intentions abundantly clear from the outset; playing a thrashing straight drive off Gorton. Nevertheless the very next ball led to his demise, as his mistimed drive found Steve Duke at short-cover, to hand vice-skipper Gorton his second wicket.

James Fitzgerald joined Barber at the crease and after the loss of two quick wickets, they looked to solidify their position and establish a strong partnership, which they duly achieved. Hayden Brown was replaced by Joe Duke and after a difficult first over, the young spinner found his rhythm and bowled a nagging length which troubled the visitors.

Just as Fitzgerald appeared settled, Gorton claimed his third wicket, after a fantastic slip catch from Jeff Pond. Fitzgerald tentatively pushed at a full length delivery from the left-armer, and Pond dived one-handed and clutched onto the edge at full-stretch. Despite this, Old Elizabethans were still well-placed at 111-3 after 25 overs and the hosts were in desperate need of wickets to stem the flow of runs.

Barber passed 50 and began to accelerate towards the latter stages of the innings, which prompted McElligott to return to the attack, along with Steve Duke. McElligott bowled extremely well with little reward, as both batsmen were fortunate with several play and misses; Barber in particular had a few close shaves…

However, the introduction of Steve Duke into the attack proved inspired, as he claimed three late wickets to quash Elizabethans’ momentum. Deshal De Silva was Duke’s first victim, making 19 before he was stumped by the fleet-footed Peter Draisey.
Duke then bowled Jonathon Smith, before Terry Savanhu produced a smart catch to dismiss Abdullah Raz to hand the spinner his third-wicket. Farakh Raz was run-out in the final ball of the innings, the visitors culminated on 210-7 from their allotted 47 overs. It was certainly a formidable target, but given their fine run-chase against Potton a fortnight ago, Hoddy were cautiously hopeful that they could produce similar heroics.

Unfortunately, their reply got off to a poor start, as openers Jeff Pond and Steve Duke were dismissed in quick succession. Pond was adjudged LBW for 4, whilst Duke was clean-bowled by Abdullah Raz. The main problem for Hoddy was that they lost wickets at regular intervals and were subsequently unable to build any tangible partnerships.

Hayden Brown, 16, and Neil Conner, 14, were the only players to reach double figures as Hoddesdon were bowled out for 74 after just 25 overs. Given the batting depth in the side, it was a disappointing total; although credit must go to Old Elizabethans for their disciplined bowling performance.

Although it was a disappointing result, it didn’t detract from the enormous strides taken by the 3’s this season. They will aim to bounce back this weekend, as they host Cheshunt’s 2nd XI at Thundridge.

Match details

Match date

Sat 11 Jul 2015

Kickoff

13:00

Competition

Regional Division A East
Team overview
Further reading