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Result - Hampshire Hogs

Sun Apr 30th The Grannies win by 5 wickets

Match report

Could it be done? Could the mighty Hogs finally be put to the sword? Happily for the Grannies of 2023, the answer was a resounding “Yes” as the Hogs were bested by 5 wickets at Warnford.

The fixture got off to a good start with an XI locked in at least three days before game day, assuming that AdM could make it from Heathrow to Hampshire on time (more of which later). Things got better when the Hogs chose to bat on when looked like a seamer-friendly early season pitch. Ed Gross and Luke Rooke (another excellent candidate introduced by the Clarkes) opened up, keeping things tight and seeing off the Hogs openers. AdM even managed a catch at gully, the third most useful thing he did all day after chauffeuring Fergus to the ground and getting Grossy and David Amato to play.

40-2 then rapidly became 57-5 as Gordon Lee beat two batsmen for (lack of) pace and David Amato snaffled the Hog’s number 3 caught at slip by Grossy. By this point, with David holding down one end and Gordon wheeling away at the other, the Grannies were dreaming of batting before lunch as the Hogs number 7 proceeded repeatedly to lob the ball tantalisingly out of reach. As he found his range, the total began to grow until the introduction of Fergus de M saw the batsman’s downfall playing the slog-sweep in the last over before lunch. Bazball has obviously reached Hampshire.

Lunch was taken with the Hogs 124-6. Well, it would have been if the skipper had reminded his team of the need to bring their own. With hindsight it was a masterstroke to keep the team hungry. After lunch/not lunch and a delay for rain, the Grannies finished off the Hogs for 161 with two more wickets for Fergus and one for Quinton Newcomb. Fergus finished with the best figures of 3-16 but all of the bowlers did a fantastic job.

Quinton and Ed opened for the Grannies with Q departing early to a (dubious?) LBW decision – 8-1. Monty Clarke and Ed first steadied the ship and then started to push on, putting on 68 before Monty missed a straight one. It was 86-2 at tea with Luke joining Ed (50*) at the crease. The lack of lunch was compensated for by an excellent tea, particularly the scones. Indeed, it was probably the soporific effect of the carbs which caused the inevitable mini-collapse from 109-2 to 112-5 as Luke then Bertie Clarke and AdM came and went. It turns out that trying to bat after an overnight flight and 3 hours sleep is no longer a good plan.

Had the chance for victory gone? Luckily for the Grannies, David bats as well as he bowls and fields and joined the imperious Ed at the crease. With David blunting the Hogs at one end, Ed continued to despatch the bowling to all parts at the other. They comfortably knocked off the 50 runs needed for victory with Ed finishing on 104*. It was a simply sublime innings to watch and one which will take some beating for knock of the season. Bob P, who’s seen a few good ones for the Grannies, said it was as good a ton as has ever been scored for the Grannies. There is no higher praise than that!

Thanks to all of the Grannies who turned out.

Hogs: 161 a.o. in 38.2 overs (Gross 7-2-17-1; Rooke 5-0-23-1; Amato 10-1-40-1; Lee 7-1-20-2; de Mestre F 5.2-1-16-3; Clarke B 1-0-12-0)

Grannies 164-5 in 32.3 overs (Gross 104*; Clarke M 16; Rooke 12; Amato 8*)

Full scorecard at: Hampshire Hogs CC (play-cricket.com)

Match info

Also played: Luke Rooke

Location
Wheely Down Road (off A32),
Warnford,
SO32 3LG

How to get there
A32 from the south: take the first left turn as you enter the village.

A32 from the north: after passing the George & Falcon pub, take the second turning on the right.

The entrance to the ground is on the left about 300 yards from the junction.

From M3/A33 at Winchester, take the A31 and then the A272 towards Petersfield. Go up and over Cheesefoot Head and take the next right hand turn, signed to Preshaw and Warnford. Follow this road straight for about 5 miles, at the end of which you will descend a long hill into Warnford. The entrance to the ground is on the right after passing D J Scott (Garden Machinery). If you reach the junction with the A32, you have gone about 300 yards too far.


http://www.hampshirehogs.org.uk/contactus