Hertford vs The Weekenders - Match report

With the Hertgate match abandoned due to the weather, the relief to be able to play some cricket was palpable around Balls Park. It was down to both sides involved to try and entertain an put on a good performance.

The toss resulted in Hertford electing to bat, in conditions which were probably even for both bowling and batting given the overcast skies. Connor Ives and Nick Horton played sensibly for the first wicket and put the bad ball away when it arrived. Scoring was around 4 an over until Connor perished for a well made 23. However, a good basis of the innings had been established at 77-1.

Josh Clark joined Nick at the wicket and he admitted afterwards that his long break from cricket meant that he was mostly finding form during his time at the crease. The pair took the score past the hundred mark with Nick increasing the scoring rate, with the latter offering a few more chances to the Weekenders, until Josh fell for 13.

Sam Pavey joined Nick for a brief spell before Nick's lives ran out and he was caught for 70. A good knock, which would prove to be the top score of the day. Unfortunately for David Shearn the fall of the wickets came leaving him with one ball left before lunch for him to face. This was safely negotiated, so he was able to enjoy the chilli and jacket potatoes on offer.

At lunch the innings was finely balanced and it needed a solid performance from someone to give our young bowlers something to defend. David was the man for the situation and once settled gave few chances to the Weekenders and steadily put on runs with Sam, Stuart and lastly a 50 partnership with Noah Osborn.

In previous seasons the declaration has possibly come too late to allow Hertford's batsmen to reach personal milestones. So the declaration came with 222 on the board, which would allow the Weekenders to have the same number of overs to chase the total.

A quick turnaround between the innings meant that the Weekenders would bat for around 12 overs prior to the tea break.

Dan Orchard and Jonny Underdown opened the bowling and were perhaps not at their best in the face of some aggressive batting from Fazalidin. The shorter midwicket boundary was being found regularly and opening pair took the score to 60 in quick time, until the umpire concurred with Jonny's appeal for an lbw to remove Hogben.

At this stage, the declaration appeared generous with the scoring rate well on course. The turning point came when Connor decided to take the match into his own hands; quite literally! Firstly, taking a stunning catch at square leg from the bowling of Noah. The ball was hit right out of the middle by Shimoga, which appeared to be speeding to the boundary. Connor nonchalantly plucked the ball out of the air, which the batsmen probably still cannot believe.

Connor then bowled a slightly wider delivery to Fazalidin which he stretched to play which lobbed the ball up to Nick Horton who safely took the catch.

Jonny and Noah both bowled well to remove the middle order and unfortunately the innings rather subsided from the perspective of the Weekenders. An enjoyable game, which at one stage appeared to be heading to a an exciting contest, but the performances of the young cricketers in the side made sure that Hertford ran out as victors.

A thank you to Steve for officiating and David Williams for scoring on the day, Anita and her team for the lunch and tea and to the Weekenders for playing their part in what is always an enjoyable day.

Scorecard - http://hertford.play-cricket.com/website/results/3158070

by Nigel Hillary