Holmbury St Mary Cricket Club
Holmbury St Mary Cricket Club
Holmbury St Mary (113-0) beat Horsley & Send (112)
Holmbury's final league fixture of the season ended in a convincing 10 wicket victory over a Horsley & Send side already resigned to relegation.
At long last the players found a dry flat pitch awaited them and the visitors chose to bat first, Abbas started like he had a train to catch playing some very aggressive shots from ball one and in no time Horsley had reached 45 without loss. But a terrible mix up ended with both openers at the same end and Hussain (11) was run out, followed quickly by Abbas (25) after one shot too many he was well caught on the boundary by Butters. With the exception of Reynolds (16) the rest of the visitors line up also appeared to be booked on the same train as a succession of rash shots had wickets tumbling regularly and 45-0 quickly became 64-5. Holmbury's bowlers all bowled with discipline - Morgan (4-49) Jackson (2-32) and King (3-19) and with more over ambitious batting from the lower order, Horsley & Send were all out for 112 in the 26th over.
Holmbury's openers then went about their reply in sensible fashion with Russell dominating, he finished on 73no supported well by Menzies (23no), an emphatic 10 wicket win was completed after an hour in just the 17th over, the visitors used ten bowlers in a match that was all over by 4pm. After a season of ups and downs, a maximum 40pts for Saints ensured in the end a comfortable mid-table finish.
Holmbury St Mary (207-7) had a winning draw against Salfords (147-6)
After many weeks of struggle Holmbury at last were able to put out a side somewhere near to full strength and came away with a winning draw and gained some much needed points.
The start had to be delayed by an hour to allow the wet pitch to dry out and the game was subsequently reduced by 15 overs. The toss was still going to be crucial with the winners guaranteed to insert their opponents and it was Salfords who did exactly that. Holmbury batted sensibly until two needless run outs threatened to de-rail their innings. But Maynard (49) joined the stubborn Finch (13) to get things back on track, taking the score along to 88 when Finch fell trying to up the tempo. Mayer (57) then continued Maynard's good work and with help from Jackson (17) and Galbraith (17) they got the hosts up to a very competitive 207-7 dec from 38 overs, giving their opponents 37 overs in return. The Salfords bowlers all produced steady figures with perhaps Atkinson the pick - unlucky not to pick up a wicket 0-34 from 11 overs.
With plenty of bowling at his disposal for a change Skipper Morgan (2-22) bowled his usual tight spell and was well supported by the rest, sharing the other 4 wickets. For the visitors Holman threatened to win the game with a hard hit 53, but once he was caught in the deep off the bowling of King (1-20) Salfords decided at 103-5 they would drop anchor and take a draw. Holmbury tried everything to force the issue on a pitch still not easy for batting but were only able to claim one further wicket and at 147-6 the game petered out into a draw, with Holmbury's far superior run rate they claimed 20pts and a big step towards staying in the division, as for Salfords a comfortable mid-table finish has been assured for sometime.
Merrow (221) beat Holmbury St Mary (71)
Holmbury were easily beaten by a strong Merrow side in their last league game of the season.
Returning skipper Ian Fielder lost the toss and Holmbury were invited to field. Merrow batted solidly down the order but lost wickets at regular intervals, only Ken Mead (55) passing 50. Holmbury's bowlers shared the wickets with Harry and Tom Fitxgerald, Ian Fielder and Will MacDonagh each taking two. The last wicket fell with the score on 221, leaving Holmbury 42 overs for the chase. Unfortunately for Holmbury, Andrew Jenner tore a calf muscle in the last over and was unable to continue; a blow to Holmbury given his excellent recent form. Unfortunately, none of the Holmbury batters really got going and only Tom Fitzgerald (19) and Mark Gilby (14no) reached double figures as they subsided to just 71 all out. Despite the disappointment it has been a decent campaign for the Holmbury 2nd XI, finishing mid-table with 5 wins and just 3 defeats.
Holmbury St Mary (96) lost to Tadworth (97-6)
A depleted 10 man Holmbury visited league leaders Tadworth Saturday out of hope rather than any expectation of a positive result, and despite a spirited effort in the field they were eventually beaten by their full strength opponents.
Losing the toss, Holmbury were asked to have a bat on Tadworth's good looking pitch and made slow progress for 30mins until steady rain forced the players off for 50 minutes. It didn't take too long after the re-start for the first wicket to fall - a sharp catch at short leg to dismiss the unlucky Menzies (16), but it was the introduction of Jenkins which blew Holmbury away, once he'd claimed the prize wicket of Hamblin (17) his extra pace and bounce was more than the rest of Holmbury's line up were used to and he claimed 6-14 from just 6 overs, Holmbury again dismissed for under a hundred in 31 overs, top score for the visitors was Campbell with 21.
With the weather now set fair chasing down 97 for victory looked a formality for the confident hosts, but a determined effort from Holmbury made it far from straight forward and in Hamblin (2-37) they had some extra pace of their own, but it wasn't just the batsmen who would struggle with the extra pace, Holmbury's fielders putting down three catches they could ill-afford. However it was stand-in skipper King who's medium pace benefitted from Tadworth looking to take runs at his end, he bowled accurately and claimed 4-24 from 8 overs and had Holmbury managed another 30 runs when batting they would have been in with a chance. But the hosts in the end got across the line fairly comfortably to win by 4 wickets mainly thanks to Sweet (36) and Stevenson (21). The win all but guarantees Tadworth's long awaited promotion back into the 1st Division, as for Holmbury they go into the last two matches nervously looking over their shoulders at other's results.
Nutfield (185) beat Holmbury St Mary (65)
Holmbury's poor run of results continued as they went down to a fourth successive defeat this time by a massive 120 runs to Nutfield.
Hampered once again by the lack of availability from several key players Holmbury did at least manage to field a full XI with help from wherever they could find it! And the game started well for them, after wining the toss they very quickly had Nutfield in all sorts of trouble at 4 for 3 with opening bowlers Morgan (4-39) and King (2-51) making early inroads, Sloan (26) and Barnes (27) then put together a good partnership until both fell in quick succession and at 61-5 Saint's looked good for a much needed win, but sensible batting from Hustain (26), Lyons (34) and Humphries (43) gradually built Nutfield a very handy total of 185 in 47 overs on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers.
Disappointed not to have enforced their early advantage Holmbury's weakened line up would need their top order to do most of the work, but Lyons (5-44) struck in his first over and Holmbury were soon in big trouble at 23-3. Nutfield's disciplined bowling on the helpful pitch proving too much for the hosts and wickets continued to tumble regularly, Lyons well supported by Hastain (3-18) and then Forster taking two wickets in his first over to end the match early, Holmbury bundled out for just 65 in 23 overs, only Morgan (18) making double figures. Holmbury will pray for the return of some missing players for next weeks trip to league leaders Tadworth!
Holmbury St Mary (197-4) beat Capel (196)
A fine 98no from Andrew Jenner saw Holmbury overhaul a young Capel side's total with fewer than 4 overs to spare.
Winning the toss, Bob Andrews put Capel in on a brown track, only to see their openers race to 75 before Ashley Smith was forced to retire hurt when he was on 48. With Smith gone, the Holmbury bowlers were finally able to exert some pressure, with Neil Duke (2-33), Tony Harris (3-31) and Phil Dunn (2-25) putting the brakes on and getting in amongst Capel's middle order. Young Jack Taylor (33no) and Mark Jacques (22) held up Holmbury until opening bowler Ross Butters came back on to claim Jacques, only for Smith to come back in and hit 3 sixes and take his score to 67 before being claimed by Butters in the last over, leaving Holmbury to chase 196.
196 always looked achievable on a good wicket with a very quick outfield but Holmbury stuttered early on when Tony Campbell (15) ran himself out when looking assured and Nick Harmer (7) edged the first ball of Ketan Patel's spell (1-21) to the keeper. But Andrew Jenner (98no) and Graeme King (33) got their heads down against some useful spin bowling, waiting for the bad ball and taking advantage of it to keep Holmbury up with the run rate at the half way point. When King was out to the impressive Dominic Paul (1-47), soon followed by Stuart Martin (8), it was left to Phil Dunn (22no) to come in and help Andrew Jenner take Holmbury across the line. Jenner's chanceless innings deserved a ton but he ended two runs short. Full credit should go to a Capel side who bowled well and fielded energetically on a hot afternoon.
Holmbury St Mary (176) lost to Old Woking (178-8)
A highly competitive and entertaining encounter saw Old Woking squeeze home by 2 wickets on Holmbury Hill and keep alive their slim hopes of promotion.
The visitors won the toss and perhaps a little surprisingly invited Holmbury to bat on a glorious afternoon, the hosts got off to a good start and had a healthy run rate throughout their innings helped in no small part by 33 extras! However Holmbury were also losing wickets at regular intervals and their fragile tail was again exposed far too early, only Maynard with a lively 48 and King with a dogged 24 stayed at the crease for any length of time and they slipped from 137-4 to 176 all out in just the 36th over. The Old Woking attack led well by the pacey Stenning (3-51) and the accuracy of Rayne (4-38).
Holmbury felt they were 30-40 runs short of a good total but knew a good display in the field would give them a chance, unfortunately they too were feeling generous and gave the visitors 36 extras in return, which would prove costly. Holmbury claimed an early wicket but some sensible batting from Woking's top order slowly put them in control, a cluster of wickets did finally arrive and at 102-5 it was game on, but with so many overs left in the game Holmbury had to go for wickets. The reliable Morgan (3-31) did his best for his side along with Butters (2-26) but they couldn't remove the stubborn Oliver who batted almost the whole innings for 59no seeing his side over the line with just two wickets in hand.
Holmbury St Mary (153-7) had a losing draw against Farncombe (221-3)
A good team effort saw Holmbury held out for a hard fought draw against Farncombe in another fine match between these closely matched sides.
Holmbury arrived at Farncombe with just 3 of the team that had triumphed in an excellent game at home. Some good late recruitment by Marc Steele and Will MacDonagh meant that Holmbury did, at least, start with 11 players but with a slightly unknown quantity, skipper Bob Andrews decided to bowl first when he won the toss. On a good wicket, Farncombe batted solidly, anchored by a solid 40 from Matt Harland and a fine knock of 107 not out from Harry Robberts, to reach 221 for 3 after just 40 overs. Holmbury toiled away manfully against some strong batting, guests Phil Brown (2-27) and Sam Moreland (1-25) being the pick of the bowlers.
The reply started cautiously, although Nick Harmer hit a couple of sixes in his opening innings of 35. Only when Iain Masson was hitting a typically cavalier 43 did Holmbury threaten but a third wicket from Simon Harland (3-38) claimed him and after that it was simply a question of whether Holmbury could hold out. That they did was largely thanks to Chris Pitchford's 30 and Brown (13no), who saw the overs out with Bob Andrews (2no), leaving Holmbury on 153-7.
Holmbury St Mary (142) lost to Headley Old Freemans (145-6)
Holmbury St Mary (128-5) beat Godalming (125-9)
In a game that could scarcely have been more different from last Sunday's run fest on the same ground, Holmbury's 2nd XI survived some tight Godalming bowling on a difficult turning wicket to eke out a win, largely thanks to an outstanding unbeaten 80 from opener Nigel Menzies.
Holmbury won the toss and put Godalming in on a wicket that, while dry, was stopping and jumping, making fluent strokeplay impossible. Ross Butters was the pick of the bowlers with 4-24 from 10 overs, while tight spells from the returning Alan Latham (1-19 from 10 overs) and Steele (1-24 from 8 overs) kept the score down. A determined innings of 32 from James Ketteringham was the top score from Godalming although dogged knocks from Ian Hollingsworth (22) and Michael Steel (29) lifted Godalming to 125 for 9 from 45 overs.
If Holmbury felt that reaching this target would be straightforward, they were quickly disabused as James Ketteringham (1-29) and Michael Steel (just 15 runs from 8 overs) were turning the ball square. As Carsten Horne (3-19 from 10 overs)settled into his spell, the Saints subsided to 41-4 at the halfway point. At this stage Menzies was joined by Andrew Jenner ( 21) and between them they hung in and kept the required rate at around 4 per over. Although Jenner was out with the score on 111, Holmbury were near enough for Menzies to close out an excellent match, played in great spirit.
Holmbury St Mary (177-6) beat Albury (146)
At the start of the match very little seemed to be in Holmbury's favour.....once more only being able to field ten men, being inserted on another wet bowler friendly surface and facing an Albury side sitting comfortably in second place and yet to taste defeat this year. But despite the odds a battling display from the visitors saw them pick up their first win since the third weekend of the season and dent their hosts chances of catching league leaders Tadworth.
Saints did lose an early wicket but then an excellent 118 run partnership followed between Russell (76) and Maynard (57), they faced very challenging conditions against a hostile young attack on a helpful pitch, making the feat all the more impressive, with plenty of wickets in hand for the latter overs the visitors were able to set a very competitive 177-6. Best bowling figures for Albury was Kinnes' (3-44) from his allotted 15 overs.
The Albury reply began watchfully until Hern skied one off Jackson in the fourth over, Morgan then soon had his opening partner caught at slip, before the unfortunate helmet-less number three had to retire hurt with a nasty cut above the eye following an attempted pull stroke, another Jackson wicket came in the ninth over to effectively leave the hosts four down with just 26 on the board. Holmbury didn't have to wait long to claim their fourth wicket but then a sensible half century partnership between W Hern (39) and G Westbrook (18) gradually brought Albury back into the match. These two then fell in successive overs but with a required rate hovering around five, a tense finish looked to be on the cards. Some big shots from the lower order looked to have made the hosts favorite, but an untimely slog from J Westbrook resulted in Morgan (5-42) re-arranging his stumps and with him went Albury's chances of winning. The final wicket came following a one-handed diving catch from Maynard with still seven overs left, Holmbury in the end winning comfortably by 31 runs. Special mention should also go to 15yr old Harvey Jackson who took 4-60 on his first team debut.
Holmbury St Mary (303-6) beat Westcott (138)
Andrew Galbraith's 97 and newcomer Harvey Jackson's 70 powered Holmbury past Westcott to gain revenge for defeat in the opening game of the season.
Winning the toss, inserting Holmbury and then claiming the wicket of Julian Davies with first ball of the game was as good as it got for Westcott. This brought in young Harvey Jackson for his first Holmbury start and, on a perfect batting wicket, his quickfire 70 gave the Holmbury innings the impetus it needed. When he was out and after Nick Harmer's rapid 22, Andrew Galbraith joined opener Tony Campbell (57), who played the perfect anchoring role. Galbraith was already well past 50 when Campbell was finally out and he was joined by Iain Masson who hit a cavalier 28 before sacrificing his wicket to give Galbraith the strike in the final over, needing 6 for his ton. Sadly it was not to be, as he in turn was run out for 97, trying to keep the strike and Holmbury ended on 303-6 from 45 overs. Daniel Moore was the pick of Westcott's bowlers with 2-58 from his 10 overs.
To their credit, Wescott started aggressively but good bowling by Phil Dunn (5-18), Jackson (3-9) and Graeme King (2-25) kept chipping away. Only Graham Scott-Barnes (26) and Andrew Head (51no) really got going as the visitors subsideed to 138 all out with more than 5 overs left.
Holmbury St Mary (217) had a winning draw at Horsley & Send (159-8)
A much improved Holmbury fell one wicket short of claiming a much needed win over a ten man Horsley & Send side.
After persuading a few of their Sunday side to help out their struggling Surrey Downs Saturday XI, Holmbury looked a different team to that of the previous week and after choosing to bat first on a good looking pitch with sunny skies above, Holmbury dominated the majority of the match. A fifty run opening stand from Menzies (41) and Finch (19) got the visitors off to a good start followed by handy contributions from Morgan (20), Fitzgerald (20) and Butters (24) Holmbury were looking to post a big total and had Galbraith who played beautifully for 56 gone on further they would have done so, but a flurry of late wickets meant they ended up being dismissed for a slightly below par 217. The pick of the bowlers for the hosts were Hook 3-61, Zeeshan 3-53 and the useful leg spin of Hussain (3-38).
Horsley & Send's reply started well with Hussain (27) and Abbas (27) looking good for 15 overs until a change to the spin of Finch (2-31) accounted for Abbas, followed in the next over by his partner, bowled by skipper Morgan (2-48), another Morgan wicket came soon after and in the space of ten mins the game had swung in Holmbury's favour. The left arm seam of King (2-21) then replaced his skipper, he quickly claimed two wickets in his 7 over spell to leave the hosts stuttering on 99-5. But some stubborn resistance from Reynolds (31) and Warwick (19) was enough to salvage a draw for the hosts, the three further wickets to fall coming just too late for Holmbury to force a win, the eighth coming on the very last ball of the game. Halfway through the league campaign and despite their recent struggles Holmbury sit comfortably in mid table.
Holmbury St Mary's struggles continued as their patched up side went down to an eight wicket defeat at Salfords this week.
The day didn't start well for Saints when stand in Skipper King called incorrectly and was immediately invited to have a bat by their hosts on the damp pitch following heavy over night rain. Straight away the Salfords opening attack made full use of the helpful conditions as the ball regularly reared up off a good length, Holmbury's make-shift openers fought hard though until the first wicket fell in the 12th over with the score 26. But apart from brief cameos from Maynard (16) and King (13) that was as good as it got and after 32 over's the visitors were bundled out for just 83, chief destroyers for Salfords were Atkinson (3 for 8) and Palmer (3 for 9).
After an early tea the sun appeared and without their Skipper and regular opening bowler Morgan to call on the result seemed inevitable, 16 year old Harry Fitzgerald did claim an early wicket though on his debut for the Club, but Holmbury's bowlers looked far less menacing on the drying pitch and were helpless to stop their hosts easing home in the 19th over by eight wickets. A third straight league defeat for Saints, they were however thankful to 13 year old Sam Winser who at least ensured they fielded a full XI for the first time in three outings!
Holmbury St Mary (152) lost to Nutfield (154-3)
With only 10 men available for the 3rd week in a row and this time having to be helped out by several of their 2nd XI, whose match had to be conceded, Holmbury's desperate shortage of players is showing little sign of improving.
Traveling to Nutfield this week, events didn't start well for Holmbury as we lost the toss and were asked to bat on a damp wicket that provided Nutfield's opening attack with some assistance early on. Despite indifferent bounce and an early wicket, Finch (65) and Hall (40) put together a gutsy 2nd wicket partnership to steer the Saints out of trouble. Finch eventually fell to a top edge, but one cannot understate his effort in trying conditions. By the 30 over mark, Holmbury showed signs of posting a competitive score, but thanks to some disciplined bowling, Nutfield managed to restrict the visitors to 152 all out.
After the break Nutfield replied with a quick fire opening stand, before Steele took a sharp caught and bowled chance to provide the Saints with some hope. Despite picking up a couple more wickets, the hosts never really looked troubled and they chased down the total with plenty of overs and wickets to spare, inflicting a second successive defeat on their depleted opponents.
Holmbury St Mary (162-6) beat Capel (160)
Holmbury beat Capel by four wickets in a game that was played in light drizzle throughout and where both teams (and the umpires, provided by Capel) ended up soaked but showed great determination to finish.
Winning the toss Holmbury skipper Ian Fielder asked a young Capel side to bat, just as it started to drizzle. Capel started quickly with two stylish and aggressive batsmen who put on a rapid 52 for the first wicket. Ross Butters (3 for 31) then took two quick wickets and, together with Mark Steele (just 27 runs from 10 overs) started to exert some control. Ian Fielder (4 for 19) and Graeme King (2 for 30) both had some success before Andrew Jenner took the last wicket. Nigel Menzies took a couple of great catches as Capel were bowled out for 160 in 43 overs.
In reply, Holmbury batted steadily down the order against some tidy bowling in deteriorating weather. A good opening stand of 50 ended when Nigel Menzies was out for 26, he was ably supported by Nick Harmer (22). Ian Masson hit a quick 44 to lift the run rate well ahead of target and tilt the balance of the game in Holmbury's favour and we reached 162 for 6 with more than 10 overs to spare. Capel deserve great credit for being willing to stay out in the rain, Jamie Anidjah (3 for 25) and Ollie Ward (2 for 27) being the pick of the bowlers.
Holmbury St Mary (230-8) lost to Ockley (231-7)
Holmbury went down to our 1st defeat of the season after an excellent run chase from close neighbours Ockley.
Winning the toss for the fifth time this year stand in Skipper King had no hesitation in batting on a beautiful June afternoon. Another solid start from the top order pushed the score nicely along to 80 for the loss of just one wicket, the in-form Birdseye again played well for his 40. Maynard then made full use of the flat pitch hitting nine fours and two sixes in his quick 51, unfortunately the rest of the middle order couldn't help him and at 150-6 the 250 they were hoping for looked a long way off. The lower order lead by the tempted out of retirement Crawford (38no) responded well though pushing the hosts total up to a competitive 230-8 from 45 overs, for the visitors Owen produced a fine spell of 4-31 from 11 overs.
Taking ten wickets was not going to be easy for Holmbury on the quick scoring pitch particularly with spearhead and Skipper Morgan missing on his stag weekend! Only one wicket fell in the first 13 overs with Ockley making steady progress, but eventually Holmbury did make inroads taking 4 further wickets in the next ten overs and at 105-5 the hosts felt confident, but Ockley skipper and opener Fletcher was looking well set and was helped on his way by the hosts dropping him three times, the final time by the usually reliable Russell who had to leave the ground after splitting a finger. With only ten fielders the Holmbury bowlers could not contain Fletcher and he went on to win the game for the visitors virtually single handedly with a superb 136no with two overs remaining.
Holmbury St Mary (233-8) had a winning draw against Old Woking (179-9)
For the second Saturday in a row Holmbury could only find ten available players, but another spirited performance against a youthful Old Woking side almost produced a third successive victory.
Deciding to bat first on good looking pitch Saints started well with openers Birdseye (56) and Finch (17) against a lively opening attack, number three Russell (31) also played well building a solid platform for the visitors. The hosts however bowled very tightly led well by the pace of Stenning (3-48) and the seam of Collin (2-28), which meant Holmbury's run rate was less than four an over, so they were indebted to Dunn's fine knock of 65 to inject some much needed impetus into the innings, allowing the visitors to get up to 233-8 from a maximum 48 overs.
Old Woking's top order batted watchfully against some tidy Holmbury bowling, again led well by skipper Morgan (3-28) from 13 overs, but only one wicket came in the first hour of the reply and the game looked to be heading for stalemate. But then a cluster of wickets fell mainly due to the slow left arm of Finch (4-35) and at 126 for 5 with 12 overs remaining the visitors felt they had a chance, at this point the hosts also decided to play more aggressively and with number 3 Simone still at the crease they were not out of it. But when he finally fell for an excellent 82 quickly followed by L.Stenning, Old Woking at 7 down were settling for the draw. With 7 overs left Holmbury searched desperately for the remaining wickets and went into the last over of the day needing two for the win, Galbraith (2-23) got one, smartly caught by stand in keeper Russell, but the last pair survived the final two deliveries leaving Holmbury having to settle for a winning draw.
Holmbury St Mary (254-8) beat Headley Old Freemans (201)
Headley Old Freemans were the visitors to Holmbury Hill this week in what turned out to be a very entertaining win for the hosts.
Batting first under beautiful blue sky Holmbury put together their best batting display so far this season, with contributions from all the top six batters, the in-form Jon Mayer again top scoring with 68, supported well by Birdseye 38 and King 34. They were however helped to the 254 for 8 by at least five dropped catches by the visitors, their only highlight was their stand in Skipper Haywoods' 5 for 73 from his 13 overs.
Pleased with the total that had been posted, Saints knew they would need to bowl and field well to win the match, especially as they were only able to field ten players due to poor availability. After the early loss of Pickering (4), S Haywood (40) and Holiday (34) gradually put together a solid partnership to keep Headley in the game. When Holiday fell lbw to King's first ball, quickly followed by Rippon (4) the hosts tails were up. Then when opener Haywood finally fell to Galbraith (2 for 33) Holmbury could sense victory. Waller had other ideas setting about the bowling with some lusty blows, he threatened to give Headley an unlikely win. But one shot too many meant he was bowled by skipper Morgan (3 for 46) and with it went the visitors chances of winning. Helped by a fine second spell from Mayer (3 for 57) the visitors were dismissed for 201 with six overs to spare, a maximum 40 point win for Holmbury putting them second in the table behind pace setters Tadworth.
Holmbury St Mary (113) beat Netherne (98)
Holmbury travelled to Coulsdon for the second round of matches in the Surrey Downs league to play Netherne for the very first time, a tense low scoring match played on a dreadful pitch ended in a narrow 15 run victory for the visitors.
Saints won the toss and gambled on making first use of the bare looking strip hoping to post a competitive score, it soon became apparent that all the batsmen today would have to rely heavily on luck, as to say the bounce was up and down was an understatement, fortunately there were no genuine quick bowlers in either side or it may have turned nasty. Holmbury steadily negotiated there way to 88 for 3 from 29 overs, before the return of opening bowler Roger (4 for 41) halted their progress, along with the swing of Whitwick (3 for 29) a huge collapse ensued and just three overs later the score slipped to 92 for 8, not all the batsmen however could blame the pitch! A brief cameo from Dunn (18) added to earlier contributions from Mayer (31) and Maynard (29) got Saints up to a paltry 113 all out from 39 overs.
Certain that the pitch was not going to change, Holmbury knew they were not out of the game though. But after 10 overs the hosts had not lost a wicket and moved sensibly along to 25, however following the tea interval three quick wickets fell and at 25 for 3 the game looked evenly poised. But a good partnership between Saunders and Clark slowly put Netherene back in control moving them on to 71, then the key wicket of Saunders (21) fell and the game was again back in the balance. A change of ends for Morgan (4 for 25) was crucial and along with the seam of Colvile (2 for 20) and Mayer (2 for 2) then the spin of Galbraith (2 for 16) meant all the bowlers contributed and the hosts were bundled out for just 98 in 37 overs, a much needed win for Saints.
Holmbury St Mary (182 for 6) beat Farncombe (144)
Despite losing the toss on a wet wicket, Holmbury managed to score enough runs to beat Farncombe in an excellent game.
With the start delayed by an hour because of overnight rain, both captains had cause to be apprehensive about the toss and, on winning it, the Farncombe skipper had no hesitation in inserting Holmbury. While the wicket was difficult at first, Nigel Menzies showed it was playable with a solid and steady 68 punctuated with the odd six. Accurate bowling bowling from the Farncombe bowlers chipped away at Holmbury's upper order, so that when Menzies was finally out the score was just 108 for 6 after about 35 overs. Phil Dunn came in at this point and hit a whirlwind 49 not out, ably supported by Ross Butters (30no), to take Holmbury to 182 for 6 from their maximum 45 overs.
When Farncombe batted after tea, the sun and wind had dried the pitch considerably but the odd ball was still misbehaving. After a couple of early wickets Simon Harland (16) and Harry Robberts (62) settled in and looked comfortable until Simon Lawrence had Robberts edge a lifting ball to slip. Suddenly Ian Fielder's inswingers had the Farncombe batters in all kinds of trouble, inspiring several injudicious strokes and ripping the middle out of the innings with 5 quick wickets for just 15 runs. Only Tom Gregory (30) offered any resistance, until Lawrence came back to claim his wicket. This ensured a maximum points win for Holmbury in a game that ebbed and flowed and was played in great spirit throughout, exemplified by one of Farncombe's fielders taking a catch to dismiss a Holmbury batter and then calling him back because he felt he had grounded the ball.
Holmbury St Mary (157-7) had a losing draw against Albury (193)
Following last years relegation, Holmbury's 2nd division campaign kicked off against close neighbours Albury on Saturday with the game ending in a hard fought draw.
Heavy overnight rain had left one end of the pitch very wet as rain seeped under the plastic sheet laid down the previous evening, so after much discussion between the Captains it was agreed, to get the game played, only one end would be used.
Holmbury's new skipper Justin Morgan called correctly and inserted the visitors, they made steady progress and all the top five batters got starts, Aston top scoring with 32. A late flurry of wickets mainly due to Morgan's tidy 4 for 25 from 13 overs meant a handy if not spectacular 193 was posted, helped in part by a very average fielding display by a Holmbury side with an average age approaching 40.
Despite this Holmbury felt confident of a much needed moral boosting win, however Albury had other ideas and some very consistent bowling from openers Kinnes and Aston soon had Holmbury well behind the modest required rate, their much more youthful and pacey attack proving difficult to score from and by the halfway point the hosts had limped to 68 for 3. Despite the 48 overs available Holmbury never really looked like reaching their target and had to settle for avoiding defeat at 157-7 largely down to a fine 65no from number five Jon Mayer. For the visitors an impressive day was capped by Aston with 14 very handy overs of 1 for 26, Albury comfortably claiming a winning draw.
Holmbury St Mary (142) lost to Westcott (191 for 7)
After a good start, Holmbury lost their first league match of the season to a strong Westcott side.
Bowling first, Holmbury opened with offspinner Fred Davies (3 for 32), who took wickets in each of his first two overs. Wickets continued to fall, with John Mayer taking 3 for 30 to reduce Westcott to 80 for 6, only Paul Hughes (50) offering much resistance. But as the Holmbury bowlers tired, Alex Gregory (57no) and Daniel Moore (39no) added quick runs to take Westoctt to 191 for 7 at tea.
In response, Holmbury's batters struggled against the tight bowling of Hughes (3 for 14) and Gregory (3 for 21), only Mayer (30) offering any real scoring threat. It looked as though Holmbury might hold out for a draw but Hughes returned to mop up the tail with just 9 balls of the match remaining.