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Result - Hampshire Hogs

Sun May 5th The Grannies won by 5 Wickets ........

Match report

On a gorgeous early season day in the middle of the Spring Bank holiday, a mixed collection of Grannies assembled in Hampshire for a memorable day�s cricket. We had 4 debutants and 7 stalwarts for this very enjoyable fixture. It was no surprise then, that the 11am start (only 30 minutes earlier than normal) caught out both the Grannies president (Bob) and Senior player (Stanners). It does make it interesting for the Grannies captain to take the field (having lost the toss again) with 9, missing both his Keeper and Opening bowler. However a slight delay saw Bob arrive for the first ball, and what a first ball! Tom Gibbs roaring down the hill to flatten Kelly�s off stump first ball. This was the same Kelly who scored a hundred before lunch a few years ago; let�s call it 1-1. While this didn�t lead to a flurry of wickets, it did mean the Grannies were able to restrict the Hogs somewhat. Gibbs (6-3-12-1) was replaced by the late arriving Stanners, and whilst both were bowling well down the hill, it was Gibbs�s new ball partner George Marsh (Debutant No1) who was shining brightest. Once the Skipper had shown that the way to take wickets for the Grannies was not to rely on your fielders (dropping 2 difficult chances from the Hogs opener), George produced two beautiful deliveries to dismiss the No3 & No 4, finishing with an opening spell of 10-2-18-2, leaving the Hogs 44 for 3 after 20 overs. Mike Fernie replaced George while Stanners and Gibbs shared the hill, and a tense, tight morning season concluded with Smith and Carne working hard and holding firm for the Hogs to reach 82 for 3 from 34 overs at lunch, honours even.

After another excellent lunch, the question was which side could take the initiative after the break? Despite all the efforts of the Grannies bowlers we were unable to break the 4th wicket partnership as both batsman moved past 50. True we dropped a couple of hard chances, but no effort was lacking in the field, however as the partnership passed 150 we needed something to give. First it turned out to be Gibbs, no great surprise as he maintains his 100% injury record for Grannies games, and raising the question of who is the vice captain for Goodwood, when he broke down following a straight drive into his foot. Secondly the unfortunate Carne tore his calf and had to retire after a fine 89. Stanners saw his chance (ish). A fierce slog towards cow looked set for the boundary before the leaping James Marsh (Debutant No2, no relation to George) took a spectacular one handed catch. An early candidate for catch of the season and very un-Granny like. The usual flurry of activity and cameo�s followed, Mike Fernie (52-0) and Hugo Boylan (Debutant No3, 53-0) somehow finished wicketless. Smith remained irremovable, finishing 82 not out and a quick 43 not out from Low meant that after 59 overs the Hogs declared on 251 for 4. Hogs ahead on points at the half way mark.

The Grannies reply started with alarming speed with debutant James Marsh hit the 3rd, 4th and 6th balls of the opening over to the fence. Not to be out done his opening partner, Simon Baldey (a stalwart of Grannies Hampshire fixtures), proceed to hit his 5th ball to the fence. Whilst this opening pace understandable slowed slightly, the control and purpose did not. We reached the tea interval without any alarms and a healthy position of 96 for 0, both men in the 40�s. The Grannies back with theirs noises in front.

After the break both Baldey and Marsh competed the 50�s whilst the waiting batsmen nervously paced knowing they could start the famous Grannies collapse. Eventually the bubble had to burst and Simon fell for an excellent 52, leaving us in a strong position of 116 for 1. What followed was more un-Granny like with James Marsh anchored the innings and the middle order (Jamie Williams, Hugo Boylan and Debutant No4 Johannes Wentzel) all playing little cameos. No collapsing or panic in the dressing room just steady progress to the target. This allowed the skipper walked to the wicket at 185 for 4 and only two targets were in his mind, supporting James� to a debut hundred and seeing the team home. Having completed the first and being a team man he felt it was better to depart (via a straight one) and leave the glories of victory to the debutant Marsh boys. James finished 117 Not Out and George completing an excellent debut by hitting the winning runs.

So a fine victory by 5 wickets, with no Granny collapse, thanks in a large part to several excellent debuts but also the continued support of several long serving members. Thank you to everyone who played and I am sure that Match Mangers will be chasing you all soon to play in their games.

Match info



Location
Warnford,
SO32 3LB

How to get there
See the Hogs Web Site
http://www.hampshirehogs.org.uk/contactus