08/09/2012 - Hitchin III away
A proud day for anyone associated with HECC and it couldn't have been closer or more tense.
Winning the toss, HECC had no choice but to insert the opposition in brutally hot conditions. It was always going to be tough, especially without our talismanic bowler Jitu, who thought he'd miss the biggest game of season to go to a concert.
Amir bowled an excellent and aggressive opening spell taking 2 wickets but he deserved a lot more. H bowled the full 27 overs from one end and again deserved more than his 2 wickets, but he only conceded 90 runs which was a fine effort.
Kunal, after a shaky start, bowled well to claim 3 wickets with his leg spin. At this point, I don't care if Hitchin members read this report - on about 10, Hitchin's number 6 (who scored 46) against Kunal, had the biggest edge behind I've ever seen and not walk. This set a poor tone for the rest of the innings. Mike came on to take 2 wickets, but overall poor fielding (as usual) and bad luck meant Hatch End were chasing a daunting target of 214.
JD and JR opened the innings and things looked good when JD creamed a couple of glorious shots, but he was caught and bowled and shortly after JR edged to second slip. Hatch End were rocking at 20 odd for 2, when H and Crooner put on a scintillating partnership of 148 hitting shots all round the park. H departed for 88 but Crooner saw us through to the end with 70 not out. They had knocked the stuffing out of the Hitchin bowlers, but once h had gone, they had the 13 points that guaranteed their survival and you could sense the relief.
So Hatch End wandered to the bar to wait for the other results to roll in, hoping that Sahibs, Pirton or Abbots Langley slipped up. The Pirton result had quickly arrived and they had won comfortably. There was an agonising wait as the other 2 games were the last to be reported. Sahibs had beaten Frogmore, but unbelievably Abbots had tied with Flamstead chasing a mammoth 250, which meant Hatch End had secured the 4th spot.
There is some odd technicality with the premier league that may scupper us, but it's unlikely and who cares anyway. It's a great achievement for team like ours to finish fourth and we should all proud.
Until next year and hopefully reporting from division 9, this is a happy captain Sherman, signing off.
2012 Darts Championship
Congratulations to Pete 'Cueball' Sherman for lifting the annual HECC Darts Championship trophy.
Pete's victories against the Chairman (Andy Williams) and the Captain (Mike Sherman) in the quarter finals and semi finals respectively set up a final triumph against Killers.
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| Recent results |
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| 08 September 2012 - Hitchen III 214 - 9 (53.0) lost to Hatch End 218 - 4 (42.4)
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Affiliated to:
Club Cricket Conference, National Cricket Association, Middlesex Cricket Association,
Harrow Cricket Association, The Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League
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Top Players - 2011
| Most runs: | H Davies (567) |
| Best average: | A Hussein (55.0) |
| Most wickets: | H Davies (60) |
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| 2011 Team averages |
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