After some long awaited rain over the past couple of days, the sun was out and the Hendred wicket was slightly damp on the surface to give a little bit of interesting bounce, but nothing too nasty. Steve “Nordic” Bramley won the toss and elected to bat against a team that were an assemblage of youth and (to put it nicely) experience. Barry “Coach” Martin and Nordic opened and put on 56 runs, Coach playing shots and Nordic conspicuously defending, before Nordic top edged a ball to the keeper and was dismissed for 19. Barry, who is on top form with the bat and ball again this season continued to bat with Dave “Somerset” Summersbee, for a short while longer before Coach was bowled. “I’m never bowled” he declared. Rich “Thigh bone” Lonnon was dismissed quickly, probably as he hasn’t picked up a bat for over a year, bringing Ben “Huge Helmet” Rendell to the crease, chin upwards to see out from under his brim.

Huge Helmet and Somerset put on an unexpected but inspired 66 runs before Somerset was bowled on his highest score with the bat ever, only 3 short of 50. Oli “Oatibix” Taylor joined Huge Helmet and scored reasonably quickly also stroking an effortless six. Huge Helmet was also scoring runs after a slowish start.

Eventually, after another 50+ partnership, Oatibix was given LBW and Ben “Benjy” Putt went out in the 38th over. With a few balls to go, Chaz Boshell confident that he wouldn’t bat started to take off the pads that he’d just put on. Then, Huge Helmet was stumped on the penultimate ball and a mad panic ensued as Chaz rushed to put on the kit that he’d been taking off and rushed out to the middle to face the last ball, scoring 2 and leaving Wantage on a respectable 210 for 6.

B. Martin Bowled 41
S. Bramley Caught 19
D. Summersbee Bowled 47
R. Lonnon Caught 2
B. Rendell Stumped 44
O. Taylor LBW 31
B. Putt Not Out 9
C. Boshell Not Out 2
R. Pretorius DNB 0
O. Haine DNB 0
R. Hughes DNB 0

After tea which included some nice cake and some awesome refrigerator cake, we took to the field to defend our 210 runs. Chaz opened from the far end and Ren Pretorius at the other. They dismissed the first three batsmen with some tidy bowing encouraging the ball onto the stumps. Hendred were 57 for 3 and Ivan Mulford was starting to look comfortable after being dropped by Richie Hughes who’d made a brave attempt to catch him at deep square leg. Coach was brought on to bowl some line and length to calm Ivan down a little. Chaz finished his spell and Olly “Chief” Haine started some excellent spin bowling which was given a lot of respect from the Hendred batsmen. Ivan eventually had to hit out to get the required runs and was bowled by Circus after he’d scored 3 big sixes and a total of 58 runs. This took the pressure off and Chief and Ollie tidied up the tail while Richie kept the remaining batsmen guessing at the other end before Ren came back and finished it off.

Overs Maidens Runs Wickets
C. Boshell 8 2 33 2
R. Pretorius 6.4 0 33 2
B. Martin 7 2 24 2
O. Haine 8 0 18 3
R. Hughes 4 0 14 0

Hendred were all out for 121 after 32.4 overs. It was a fun high spirited game with some nice cake and some fantastic company. Thanks again, Hendred, for your hospitality!

Man of the Match was Somerset for getting his highest score ever.
Champagne moment went to Ren for a “Gazelle-like stop”.
Pig’s Ear went to Chief for dropping a dolly catch off of Richie’s bowling that would have led to Richie’s first wicket for the club and, if he’d had any money on him, a jug.

Nordic