Forget the invincible Arsenal squad of 2003-2004 (or AFC Ewell 2024/2025 for that matter!), Hill found themselves one victory away from masterminding an unbeaten league campaign. With two abandoned games the only blots of note on their unblemished copybook, the quintessential surroundings at Horsley and Send CC provided the perfect location to end the league campaign in style.
The hosts elected to bat at the toss and Hill almost got off to the perfect start. Jones Jnr managed to invite a thick edge with the first ball of the game only for Chipperton to uncharacteristically fluff his lines at second slip. The towering youngster continued to go unrewarded and was extremely unfortunate to end his spell without a wicket.
Both openers seemed to be living something of a charmed life as the ball continued to squirm into gaps or race away for 4 off the edge. The eventual breakthrough came as Ransom managed to find the edge and Chipperton held the catch this time. An opening stand of 74, although frustrating given it ought to have been 0, was somewhat refreshing and meant Hill would probably have a reasonable total to chase – something for their batsmen to get their teeth into.
71 runs later, the young opener had certainly cashed in on his second innings; to suggest his diamond duck reprieve was an “expensive drop” might be something of an understatement. Subramanium made the eventually breakthrough as Hill resembled a team on the beach, with last week’s title win seemingly reducing their motivation.
Nevertheless, Subramanium pilfered a few late wickets, either side of a wicket for Maheswaran, as the home side finished their 40 overs on 207-5. Hill were unusually lax in both departments, with more extras and misfields than usual – although the outcome of the first ball of the game arguably set the tone for the innings! Scoring at 5 an over was by no means an impossibility, but it would require at least one noteworthy performer to lead the way.
With a table booked for 7pm at The Old Frizzle, Ransom was elevated to the opening birth alongside Chipperton in the hope of getting Hill off to an auspicious start. The latter was caught at mid-wicket for 12 as Hill were 43-1 from the opening quarter. Stupples made his way to the crease to join the well-set Ransom, who would continue in his role as the aggressor. His efforts to ensure a speedy departure were scuppered by him clearing the fence on several occasions and necessitating new balls to be unearthed!
Ransom had to battle the moral quandary of being late to his own birthday drinks or missing out on a hundred. After electing to go for the landmark, he willed the ball to the boundary on 96 and celebrated jubilantly when the ball obliged. When he departed with 10 overs remaining and 40 required, Hill were firmly in the driving seat.
Srivastava joined Stupples, who had been ticking along in support on Ransom, but fell shortly after. The ever-reliable keeper batsman kept a cool head and notched a key half century to put Hill on the path to victory. At the other end, Radcox joined the fray and looked to keep the scoreboard moving as he raced to 20 from 17, including hitting the winning boundary in a key cameo.
Player of the match – Sponsored by Nicholls Residential = Elliot Ransom
Park Hill Cricket Club 