Hornden won the toss on a sunny but windy day and decided to bat.
Civic opened the bowling with Thomas & Colwill who picked up a wicket each in a tight first 8 overs conceding just 34 runs. Our young guest bowlers Ajmani (jr) and Nahas bowled a good pacey spell, once they had settled down, with Ajmani taking a one wicket. At the halfway stage Hornden were on 103. Hughes took the next 5 wickets (and had 2 catches dropped) in what was described by Colwill as “…his longest spell since the last millennium..” (Editors note this is in fact true.) In spite of Joy’s notable catch, to aid one of these dismissals, the scoring rate in the second half picked up a little and by the time Thomas took the 9th wicket in the last over, Hornden had made 226-9 in their 40. Top scorers were Wills with 50 , Mathews 36 and MJ made a rapid 32 n.o. towards the end. The Civic fielding was a pretty good standard and Elmo was overheard making the outrageous claim that he was the “most improved” fielder in the team.
In reply Civic Thomas made a brisk but brief start falling for 6 in the first over, this set the scene for a lot of unsuccessful batting. Runs were proving difficult to score on an increasingly unpredictable pitch and after 17 overs the score was 66-5, Ajmani Sr had ground out a tough 14 against difficult opening bowling and guest batsman Major hit a patient 21. Joy then made the first of a miserable succession of ducks, the most notable of which was Elmo who blocked a first ball half volley and survived a dazzling 6 balls including a gift of a free hit, for a hard earned zero. Elmo later claimed that his was the “best of the ducks as it lasted longer” although the spectators may have disagreed. All seemed lost but then Colwill (75 n.o.) and new recruit Lukose (49 – jug avoidance) put on a rapid partnership of 121 in the next 16 overs and it seemed to be game on again with just 39 required in 5 overs. Unfortunately when the partnership was broken the end came all too quickly with 4 consecutive red-faced batsmen failing to trouble the scorers.
Civic ended up 199 all out and Hornden won by 27 runs.
A game played in great spirit at a lovely scenic ground. Bar honours were shared. Hopefully this will become a regular end of season fixture.
Thanks to Jerin and Dave for organising it.