Another near-subcontinental outfield was the inevitable result of the hottest June on record, as Hill made the journey over to West Byfleet looking to make it 4 wins on the bounce. With a youthful XI featuring no less than 4 teenagers and the absence of regular top order batsmen, the decision to insert the opposition was the outcome of Chipperton’s first successful toss result of the season. Would the modestly named ‘Invincibles’ prove to be an apt or ironic moniker?
With Subramanium stuck somewhere in traffic (deja vu?), the new ball was thrown to Jones Jr and Ferguson. Both took on the challenge and offered up some troubling deliveries on a track that seemed to offer plenty of encouragement for the bowlers. Ferguson made the opening breakthrough as one opener spooned a catch to Rolf at point, who eventually held on after a couple of attempts. Ransom produced some eye-catching work in the deep to save a maximum and, shortly after, Jones Jnr ended the other opener’s stay of execution and, having beaten his outside edge several times and seen him put down at gully, took things into his own hands in grabbing a caught and bowled.
Subramaniam and Chipperton replaced the opening duo and the former claimed Hill’s third scalp, with Vithlani taking the catch behind the stumps. Smith Snr replaced the latter and soon reduced the hosts to being 5 down, clean bowling one batsman and trapping another LBW. 55-5 on the lead up to drinks constituted an excellent start to the innings, but much work remained to be done. The ‘Invincibles’ succeeded in blunting the Hill attack without overly troubling the scorers, as Jones Snr and Smith continued to limit the scoring opportunities for the hosts. Smith Snr claimed a third wicket and once again reinforced speculation that he is the best fielder at the club (*off his own bowling) taking a sprawling catch to claim Hill’s sixth wicket.
Smith Snr’s catch off his bowling
The seventh wicket partnership proved to be an extremely profitable one for the Warriors and a frustrating one for Hill; their approach also seemed to change at the juncture. No longer content to nudge and nurdle, an all guns blazing approach saw a flurry of boundaries and a concerted effort to target the smaller legside boundary at the end from which Smith Jnr, Ransom and Subramanium were deployed.
A change of ends for Ransom eventually spelled the end of the partnership after they had taken the Warriors from 76-6 to 157-7, with Smith Jnr hanging on to the catch. Vithlani picked up a stumping off Ransom’s bowling to claim his second victim. However, dropped catches and some missed openings meant that the final total of 175 meant that Hill had a bigger mountain to climb than perhaps was necessary. One such was boundary patroller and specialist fielder for the day Nacmansom shelling a catch off the captain.
Nacmanson putting in his application for the Birdseye factory
Suitably gorged on Jones Jnr birthday treats of strawberry cake and cheese scones, Chipperton and Ransom waddled to the middle to begin the run chase. Both made it clear that they would look to make a brisk start to the run chase and sought to disrupt the rhythm of the bowling attack with a mixture of attacking intent and quick(ish) running. Ransom’s run of scorers was halted when he nicked off on 22, bringing Nacmanson to the crease.
Nacmanson looked to carry on where Ransom left off and took on the opening bowlings and kept the scoreboard ticking over. The grinning giant proudly professed at the end of one productive over that: “I’m so in here.” The commentator’s curse didn’t take long to manifest and he slashed at a wide delivery and was caught behind, shortly after taking Hill past the 50 mark. Vithalani was the next cab off the rank, joining the skipper at the crease with 120 runs left to chase. The partnership was soon broken as Chipperton’s innings ended tamely as he patted the ball back to the bowler.
Rolf was tasked with supporting Vithlani after another impressive display in the field. The senior player played the role of aggressor and allowed Hill to keep up with the required rate, even when wickets did fall around him. Subramanium replaced Rolf after he was bowled through the gate and Hill’s elder statesman looked to play himself in following a barren period with the bat. He was run out for 9 but once again a partnership edged Hill ever closer to the required total. Smith Jnr, who took some punishment in the first innings, looked to exact revenge and batted confidently as Vithlani continued to steer the run chase closer to a successful conclusion. Jones Snr entered the fray after Smith Jnr was caught when attempting to find the boundary. Another man looking to exorcise his batting demons this year, his display belied the form book as he expertly guided Hill home along with the influential Vithlani.
Contributions across the board proved to be the cornerstone for another Hill victory. Long may they continue!
Fielder of the day: Elliot Ransom
Park Hill Cricket Club 