At the start of the 39th over we were 264 all, but a huge 6 sealed the deal for HCCC and we were in the also-ran compound. In our innings, Nick Jephson had scored a lovely 100 before being trapped lbw by Scyld Berry and for our bowlers, Elliott Gaiger and Oscar Fox both took 2 wickets apiece.
Adam Battisson was sadly called away by the “duty call” half way through the day, but luckily Matt Stevenson was spectating and could step into the breach – bowling well and taking a corker of a catch to send the pro back to the pavilion!
As reported by Simon Campbell: “Well, if you haven’t played at Hinton before you should, and if you do you’ll come back. Picturesque ground, good track, extraordinary pavilion, best tea of the season and a good group of folk. Having scored 264 for 5 off 40 I was expecting to write about another win, but HCCC chased the total down with some ease. Shortish boundaries and lightning outfield helped. Savin Bavunugama (16, new pick), Jack Bramwell and Tom Beard all batted nicely, but Nick Jephson was stand-out with a fine 100 in 32 ish overs, anchoring the innings and proving that the over-50s still have it. Rocket Stevenson (proving that over-60s still have it too) and John Carroll opened up and bowled well, but their openers tucked in nevertheless. Bromley (fine skippering) bought a wicket, there was one fine Bramwell stumping, and Elliott Gaiger and Oscar Fox (proving something about youth which I don’t really want to go into) bowled the best spells reducing Hinton to 5 down with 70 to win off 14. Very late in the day the skipper turned to Mac Stevenson and your correspondent who blunted the Hinton onslaught and, some might say, would have done more damage if employed earlier, but this is mere speculation. HCCC got there with 9 balls to spare and much nonsense was talked in the well-appointed bar afterwards.”
