The last match of the season ended, fittingly, in a last-over finish.
After the traditional Chairman's welcome, Brigands batted first with debutant Chris Russell stroking an elegant 40 supported by Wood with 13. Batting wasn't easy as Cornwall bowled very straight (no wides in the innings!) and one of the Brigands Umpires was Cornish!
The Jays were in next and Father and Son put on 13 more for the third wicket before Henderson hit a quick 50; with big boundaries there were 4 all-run fours. Woolvine, with pad rash having got padded up in the first over, played like Botham-of-old and hit the best shot of the day using his feet to smote one down to long on.
The innings ended on 187 when Harry Bates hit the ball straight to cover, ran, and got run-out.
Richie Hay opened the bowling in his lucky-walking-boots and only got hit for one scoring shot in his first 24 balls; the first three wickets came from other sources as Woolvine and Henderson getting dismissals from full tosses.
Two more debutants shone; Rob (with gloves) and Harry Walton (with pace). Zeb Jay took a smart catch, his Dad picked up three more as the Brigands lived up to their claim to be "the best fielding side in Hampshire".
There were three wicket-maidens and at 50-5 the chase looked unlikely, but some lofted drives and paddles to leg from the Cornwall skipper saw them get back in contention needing 36 off the last 6 overs with 3 wickets in hand.
More wickets fell in the chase so it was down to Adam Jay to bowl the last over of the season down the hill and needing just one wicket, with men all around the bat and a Hambledon sunset to the West.
Comentários