24/04/2022
An unfortunate start to the season for Hirst as they miss out in a competitive game with Ben Johnson.
Ben Johnson 136 All Out (34.2)
Huded 63
B Thornton 34
Dunn 35-4
Emery 16-3
Hirst Courtney 123 All Out (32.1)
Dunn 32
Pearse 24
E Thornton 46-6
S Thornton 16-2
Hirst Captain Alex Barraclough won the toss and elected to field first which at the time was a well educated decision from the experienced skipper. Hirst started off well seeing a familiar name of Sam Dunn taking Hirst’s first wicket of the campaign seeing Anderson dismissed in the first over for 0 by LBW. Both Sam and Chris Iveson kept it tight bowling well to pile the pressure on the away side before Sam Dunn took his second victim of the day, dismissing Wragg for only 4 runs in the 5th over of the day leaving the visitors 8-2 at the end of the over. With the momentum of the early wickets up steps Chris Iveson to take the wicket of Castle who lofted the ball up to Golden Boy Jack Whattam in Chris’ 4th over of the day. Out comes Bharath who was hoping to steady the ship in this early onslaught from the Hirst attack. Chris however wasn’t taking no prisoners and dismissed Bharath for a Golden Duck via LBW. After a dream start from the home side Ben Johnson battled through in the form of Huded and E Thornton who’s stroke play produced a partnership of 38 before a much needed wicket fell from Skipper Alex Barraclough with a ball that Shane Warne himself would of been proud of leaving the visitors 48-5. B Thornton steps up the the crease as Hirst struggle to find another wicket under the bowling combination of Alex Barraclough and Jack Whattam, with many dropped catch attempts, allowing the partnership at the crease to put on a respectable partnership of 71 before Hirst opener Sam Dunn dismissed Huded for 63 in a great batting performance for the away side. Making his Hirst Senior Debut comes Jordan Emery who’s got some very big shoes to fill, he didn’t let that phase him after a shakey start in the first two overs managed to dismiss Partridge and Morrison for 9 and 2 respectfully. The away side are now 136-8 before Sam dismissed S Thornton for a duck and Jordan taking his 3rd Wicket of the day wrapping up the innings by sending Snowdon back to the pavilion Caught and Bowled.
Hirst came out after teas looking for the victory with only 137 to win they fancied their chances, Sam Dunn and Chris Iveson opened the batting hoping to get Hirst off to a good start, both players playing an array of strokes before Iveson was dismissed early for a duck by young bowler E Thornton. Thornton looked to cause upset to Hirst as he quickly dismissed Luca Reddiex LBW in his 3rd over who was looking very handy with the bat. But he doesn’t stop there as skipper Alex Barraclough steps up to the crease and again doesn’t let Hirst Settle with Barraclough being dismissed for 4 in his next over again by LBW. Jack Whattam and Opener Samuel Dunn look to drive Hirst on before Dunn was dismissed for a respectful 32 after playing fetch with the away side into the cow field. Out comes Macaulay Pearse in a hope to again drive on and to put Hirst into a position to win the game. At 38-4 there was certainly a challenge ahead of the young partnership at the crease, after complaining about his new bat Pearse went on to hit a quick 24 putting on a 31 run partnership with Whattam before being run out in a questionable 2 call. Whattam followed shortly after for 12 leaving a partnership of Vice Captain Wickham and Ryder at the crease. Ryder fell for a duck at the hands of Ben Johnson’s hero of the day E Thornton. Up steps left handed Brinded to the crease who played an array of leg side shots giving Hirst a revival push before Wickham was caught behind for a quick 11 in typical Phil Wickham fashion. Next is Emery who hit a lovely shot for 6 before quickly becoming another victim for Thornton on the day. Another Hirst Debut for Jamie Forrest who used his natural hand eye talent to finish 4 not out as S Thornton takes the final wicket of the day at the hands of Brinded who put on 16 to leave Hirst 123 All out.
Unfortunate result for the boys who were undefeated at home last season but a Sterling effort.
Big thank you to our volunteers again Linda Forbes for a tea spread, Claire Howsam for scoring, David Howsam for umpiring, Julie Shillito with her great camera work and also the Ben Johnson Umpires.
