Hertford 4th XI Lose by 2 Wickets to Hitchin

Skip, Nick Horton won the toss on decided that the wicket would not change much during the day so Hertford decided to bat first.
Hertford started well as Springy and Horton put on 76 for the first wicket, Horton first to depart for 28, Springy then partnered a couple more batsman before being out for a hard earned 45. This proved to the highest individual score of the game.

The pitch gradually worsened to the point length deliveries were occasionally going past at head height to a leaping keeper. So it is with much credit that we used up 42 of our 45 overs considering 4 of the team were U14. The scorecard does not make pretty reading as we were bowled out for 125 but the determination and application shown by all will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. Jakub Pickering in particular looked very comfortable until he ran himself out and later took an outrageous one handed catch when one was melted to him at mid-off. Great catch followed by equally “cool” celebration.

The opening bowlers of Matt Ahl and debutant Charles Dower restricted the Hatfield reply to less than 2 an over with Charles getting two wickets clean bowled, and Matt Ahl has some very close LBW shouts. Charles went on to bowl 9 overs straight in his first game of the season with figures of 2 for 19.

Dave Benham and Angus Kildare then continued to apply the pressure to the Hatfield batting line up who buckled as we reduced them to 60 for 6 and then 80 for 8, with Dave Benham bowling with great control to take 5 for 12 off 9 overs.

Angus had no luck as catches off his bowling would not go to hand, and this proved to be the story of the end of the game as the Hitchin “tailenders” (who could bat) went to the casino and got a bit lucky but credit to them for having a go. So Hertford ended up losing by two wickets. A quick mention to Isaac Medcalf, Will Aisbitt and George Gardener who did not get a bowl / keep due to the nature of the game, but their positive contributions with bat and in the field were much appreciated and lastly a mention to George Rideout as he proved more than equal to the task of keeping on a tricky wicket and took two sharp catches off Dave.

A credible result for which everyone, especially the youngsters should be very proud. A thank you to the on-field club and fellow team members for all the support in getting eleven on the pitch, ten points gained rather than 10 lost in no small part to all their efforts too.

Author: Nick Horton