Hoddesdon v St Albans Cricket Club 1XI on Sat 21 Jun 2003 at 11:30
Match was Drawn
On a scorching hot day St Albans travelled to Hoddesdon aiming to put memories of last weeks defeat behind them. Hoddesdon won the toss and made there intentions clear by sticking St Albans in on what appeared to be a good batting wicket.
The Saints opening batsmen found the wicket to not be quite as quick as they had expected and Andrew Jones was caught having gone through his shot to early. Matt Howeson and Ian Curtis did enough to see off the new ball, however both were soon dismissed too cheaply. Simon White came to the crease and showed exactly how it should be done launching a 4 and a 6 off both of the Hoddesdon bowlers before they could even think about attacking. Ricky Gill at the other played a mature innings, struggling early on to find form he batted through well and appeared to have played himself into form with a range of flowing shots before he was run out for 42 after some confusion. Simon White continued to pile on the runs, making batting look supremely easy, as he continued to his hundred before finally being bowled out for 128. Nick Gilbert contributed a quick fire 28, helping St Albans to see the total through to 274 all out.
This total was competitive but by no means 'ungettable' on the postage stamp ground at Hoddesdon, particularly with their overseas player having scored 160 the prevoius week. Hoddesdon started their chase well finding themselves 50 for 0 wicket within the first ten overs. Glen Turner bowled well, as did Simon White without reward. Eventually the breakthroughs came, Glen Turner claiming the scalp of Dutch World cup batsmen Dan Van Bunge for 0, with the help of a good catch from Nick Gilbert diving forward. Going into tea with Hoddesdon 3 wickets down and only marginally behind the run rate the match seemed finely balanced.
After tea Glen Turner was given a short break by skipper Nick Gilbert to allow Andrew Williams to come on and take an important wicket the Hoddesdon captain falling just as he appeared to be getting going. Andrew Green bowled very tightly at the other end and slowed the Hoddesdon innings down at a crucial time. From here we anticipated a Hoddesdon assault, which just never came the game ending a rather uninspiring draw with Hoddesdon 38 runs short for the loss of only 5 wickets.
A good performance by Saints, it was just unfortunate that Hoddesdon were more concerned with not losing, rather than winning the game for themselves having made the decision to bat second at the toss.
St Albans Cricket Club 1XI Batting
274 for 10
Hoddesdon Bowling
Hoddesdon Batting
236 for 5
St Albans Cricket Club 1XI Bowling
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Umpire :
panel
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Scorer :
Ken Wright