Won
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevan Smith | Out | 104 | ||||
| Andy Benning | Out | 38 | ||||
| Retief Van Der Walt | Out | 57 | ||||
| Scott Stevens | Not Out | 26 | ||||
| Ted Baker | Out | 5 | ||||
| Dave Rintoul | Not Out | 1 | ||||
| Nigel Jackson | DNB | |||||
| Anthony Foley | DNB | |||||
| Mark Anderson | DNB | |||||
| Steve Hill | DNB | |||||
| Extras | ||||||
| Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Benning | 5.0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 3.40 | |
| Retief Van Der Walt | 6.0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 3.50 | |
| Ted Baker | 3.0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 7.00 | |
| Dave Rintoul | 6.0 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 5.33 | |
| Nigel Jackson | 10.0 | 3 | 42 | 2 | 4.20 | |
| Anthony Foley | 4.0 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 | |
| Mark Anderson | 14.0 | 0 | 71 | 3 | 5.07 | |
| Extras | ||||||
| Fielder | Catches | Run Outs | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevan Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Retief Van Der Walt | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Scott Stevens | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve Hill | 0 | 0 | 1 |
The talking was over and the action started with our first league match in the Thames Valley League. On a slow low pitch, the eventual victory by 20 runs on paper does not convey the nail biting, tense and hard fought affair it was.
Batting first on a hot muggy almost oppressive day, Messers Smith and Benning were platinum in their resolve and application. Scoring steadily at just under five runs an over they set the foundation for a run fest with a fantastic partnership of 127 runs. Benning went stumped for a well made 38 after some exquisitely timed strokes.
Van der Walt joined Smith and all hell broke loose. The scantily clad British beauties lining the parameter of the ground clearly stirred something in him. He savaged the bowling attack with great ease and his quick fire 57 included five fours and four sixes. Eventually out caught the tempo was raised and the opposition was mute. van der Walt contributed 57 in a partnership of 74 with Smith!!
Khan joining Smith now on 95 had to remind him to get to three figures. This he duly did. Smith played with great heart and in the conditions tested his stamina. A beautiful century with 12 fours and a memorable six which almost hit another set of van der Walt's eye candy. Khan departed being well caught on the long on boundary as did Smith later.
Scott rounded off the innings with a quick fire 26 not our with 5 fours. Sonning concluded their innings at 268 for 5 declared after 48 overs giving Hampton Hill 52 overs to get to their target.
Jackson, suffering from a cold, was fast and furious and too good at times to get the edge. Two early wickets followed a fantastic knock from the Hill's skipper Tim Chelmick. Two main partnerships with Wood and particularly Butt saw their run rate soaring towards victory. Jacko also created immense pressure with his fielding in particular a pull back definite four that lead to the wicket of a now frustrated Butt.
Scott took three catches and Smith limped akin to hop along Cassidy. Benning fielding was superb in addition to keeping the spirits going. When the skipper instructed Anderson his spinner to spin he bowled well and took 3 wickets. Rintoul bowled wicket to wicket and troubled all the batsmen.
When Benning came into the attack we needed to bowl to our field and stop singles. This he did and he also took wickets to start the march towards victory with Jackson knocking back Owens stumps to claim victory. 8 to go! Well done lads.
Waz
