With wind speeds in excess of Hill’s quickest bowling and heavy rainfall in the build up to the game, doubts abounded as to whether Hill would have the opportunity to extend their winning streak. The visiting captain’s enthusiasm and punctuality in calling up for a morning pitch report was not matched by his errant charges, as they were forced to forfeit the toss and Hill elected to bowl into gale force winds.
Subramanium was lethal in the reverse fixture and he was given the new ball with the instructions of repeating his heroics on the cabbage patch. Simultaneously, Mackay was tasked with running into the wind from the other end in the role of supporting act. The early stages were largely uneventful as a series of plays and misses left Hill tantalisingly close to a breakthrough, although runs were at a premium and the visitors and the score ticked along to 41 off 15 overs before Hill finally claimed a wicket.
With the battle lines now clearly drawn, smart glove work from Stupples led to a stumping after Ransom got one past the advancing batsman. Pace off the ball continued to pay dividends and Rolfe held a looping catch off Chipperton to leave the score at 61-4. Two further wickets in quick succession meant Ransom found himself on a hat trick ball towards the end of his spell and Mallu were left reeling on 64-6.
A handy 7th wicket partnership (mainly carried by the man handed an early LBW reprieve) frustrated Hill and took the visitors towards the 100 mark before Chipperton claimed a 3rd wicket. With both spinners bowling out, a juggling of the pack saw Mackay, Ferguson and Subramanium all return to the fray in the hopes of claiming the final two wickets. The former managed to pick up Hill’s 8th wicket when he finally dismissed the dangerman who had ensured that Hill had a reasonable total to chase. Mackay had his second when he trapped the next man in front of everything, but not before Ferguson had been denied another dead-to-rights LBW. This left Mallu on 163-9 from their 40 overs.
Hill opened with Chipperton and Ransom and they got off to a fluid start, both opening their accounts with boundaries. Ransom took on the role of aggressor and was unlucky to be caught on the rope at deep point for a run a ball 20. Stupples came in at 3 and Chipperton looked to reverse roles and ensure Hill stayed above the required rate.
Mallu’s bowling was a mixed bag, but wind conditions didn’t make for easy batting conditions. Hill made far better use of the singles on offer and ensured that they harried the visitors into careless overthrows and forced some comical fielding. Chipperton brought up his half century and retired injured shortly after, and Stupples was caught at backward point with 50 required from the final 12 overs. Mackay and Rolfe looked to steady the ship initially before the former looked to get the game finished with a flurry of sixes. In the end, Hill claimed a convincing victory with 5 overs to spare and 8 wickets remaining.
A 5th successive victory would not have been possible without the XI on the day, so special thanks to Hunt and Radcox for helping out on the day!
Fielder of the day: Subramanium
Park Hill Cricket Club 