To paraphrase a certain writer ‘it was the worst of times, it was the best of times’…
6pm on Friday evening, we have 8 heroes signed up. Despite whatsapping virtually every club member in one way, shape or form, nobody was biting and we gloomily resigned ourselves to ‘fulfilling the fixture’ with no real prospect of being able to compete against the talented Leatherhead youngsters.
However, around 8pm things start to turn. Heroes Hunt and Jeavons risked marital strife to take us to 10, and the fixture begins to look a little more palatable.
After a gruelling drive into the deepest part of the Surrey Hills, the X assemble and are put into the field. Big Tyler and Less Big Prem open up the bowling and bowl with good zip
and, followed by a typically controlled spell from club stalwart E Ransom, we kept them to 60ish off the first 20. But with no wickets taken we knew they could cut loose in the second 20 and they duly did. Kyle, Chip, and Clare all joined in the bowling fun with ERan, Kyle (celebrated in a typically understated way) and Clare picking up wickets thanks to some excellent catching. We fielded with great effort on a tricky outfield although we struggled to contain the aforementioned talented youngsters and Leatherhead finished on a strong 208.
We’ve struggled to get past 130 in the past few weeks so our hopes of victory were fairly muted. Captain Chip was more chippy than chipper although it later transpired that this was because he hadn’t been able to procure a decent bit of interval scran. Hell hath no fury like a hungry Chipperton.
Anyway, ignoring that, mssrs Goldsbrough and McLean strode to the crease to begin the chase. Big Shaun got things off to a strong start by allowing the big Duncan Fearnley to ease the biggest six ever, but alas it wouldnt last as he was triggered by the fastest finger in Surrey, to be replaced by Jeavons, who unfortunately got early on one and chipped to the keeper for no score .
Enter the man for the occasion, E Ransom. Thanks to some calm, composed batting, great communication and power play Goldsbrough and Ransom got things going and the scoreboard suddenly started to tick along nicely. By 20 overs we were on 100-2 with both bats well set. Could we?
Of course drinks was the jinx. Ransom somehow played onto leg stump and the partnership of 90 was over, with the great man going for a superb 44. Radcox got a
beauty first up and then Goldsbrough forgot he had feet and both were back in the hutch, Goldsbrough knocking 48. We needed around 80 off 17 at this point and all hopes turned to the by now ravenous Chipperton and the evergreen Prem.
The two proceeded to bat outstandingly for the next hour, running everything and playing shots to all parts. The watching teammates were increasingly tense as we edged closer and closer to the target – nobody dared move seating position and next-in Kyle was silent (!) as we watched.
Partnership 2 eventually added 90 with 60* from our famished and late-for-bathtime skipper, supported by a classy 20* from Prem and we got the win with a few balls to spare. A truly great partnership and a fantastic win for Hill against all the odds.
From the gloom of Friday to the joyous scenes in the pub after (despite £8 pints), the win again showed the resilience, tenacity and genuine teamwork that makes this cricket club what it is. All 10 players were crucial in making the win happen.
One more win this season should seal the mouthwatering prospect of another season in Division 3 of the Surrey Downs League for Hill. Lots still to play for.
Player of the match – Sponsored by Nicholls Residential = Will Chipperton
Park Hill Cricket Club 