Even Coffee gets a ton in 45 overs!
Wednesday 7th May 2008
Under blue skies, the League season started in glorious style for both Hardingham sides beginning the campaign with two wins for the 1st time in several years. Putting aside doubts over the state of the wicket which by Friday night was still extremely damp, the 1sts having won the toss did extremely well to compile a total of 183-6, based mainly around 84 from Breamo and contributions from Robbie, Cooky and The Cheese.
Taking the field with a youthful looking bowling line up, the 1sts can be extremely pleased with their bowling to have dismissed Shipdham for 134 with teenagers Oli and Sparksey taking the plaudits although there were wicket contributions from both Moots and Rob, who in tandem with Sparesy bowled 24 overs for 54 runs in the middle of the innings to really strangle the run-chase. With a good spirit in the field and with a strong looking squad on paper, this was an excellent start to the season for the 1sts.
For the 2nds, a rather easier win away at Horsford C. Having unsurprisingly lost the toss, the team made the best of being asked to bat in racking up an imposing 259-2. Leading the way following the early dismissal of Spanky was the silver fox himself Coffee who racked up his 3rd century for the club in making a 100 before retiring. He was kept good company by J who in scoring 84 put together a partnership of 158 with the fore mentioned stiff jointed club Legend. In the later overs, there was still time for a caribbean cameo from Krusty and a first reasonable score of the season from the Grandmaster Stash who was greatful to be dropped 2nd ball whilst still on 0.
Against a young side, its easy for the bowling and fielding to be sloppy but a professional job was done by all the bowlers and fielders. I'll gloss over Oaky's 1st spell of the season but he did pick up two wickets with all the seamers; Jez, Nate Dogg and Matt all picking up the wickets. As with last season, it was left to the spinners to polish off the tail with Disco Doc picking up his best figures for the club and Swayze taking the last wicket to fall. All in all, an excellent 26 point start to the season - you can't ask for more than that.
Sundays game saw a mixed side play Anglians in the Sunday Cup. Bowling 1st, a consistent bowling effort saw the hosts make 186-2 with Mike, in his 1st spell for the club bowling extemely well and taking a wicket with Rob taking the other. Although wicketless, Oli, Spartsey, Wingnut and Josh all bowled well without much luck.
It was always going to be a tough score to chase down and made more difficult with 4 ducks in the scorecard. There was quality batting from the Cheese and Josh, some cracking "I surrender" dismissals from Krusty and Jamie and some lusty tail end hitting from Paul, making up somewhat for a bowling performance he'd like to forget. A defeat by 42 runs was no disgrace; another major score from the other end and we'd have run them much much closer.
So all in all, a great start to the season. Both teams are in action this Saturday; the 1sts away to Caister and the 2nds at home to Sprowston C. Sunday also sees both teams back on the park - the 1sts away to Mulbarton and the 2nds home to Burston. With the weather set fair, here's looking forward to another successful weekend.