Match Report: Hampton Hill vs. Sanderstead Cricket Club at The Old Saw Mill
Pre-Match Context
Hampton Hill, looking to bounce back after a tough collapse the previous week against Ashford, where they were all out for 69, faced Sanderstead Cricket Club at the Old Saw Mill.
The team had several changes: Joe Porter, Ryan McCartney, Daniel Mackinney, Jack Fullicks, and Robert Fullicks came in, while Robbie Coates, Harry Coates, Paul Hennessey, Jack Baverstock, and James Robottom were out.
Toss and Innings Overview
For the first time this season, Captain Boulton lost the toss, and Hampton Hill was put in to bat first.
Batting Performance
Young Daniel Mackinney fell early to Sanderstead’s strike bowler Sandeep, who already had 3 five-wicket hauls this season. JNS and Sammy Fu then put on a solid partnership of 63 runs, featuring two sixes (more like 5s than 9s ;)). Despite their efforts, both batsmen fell to sweep shots at crucial moments when they were looking set.
Joe Porter and Captain Boulton steadied the innings, focusing on using the overs effectively and rotating the strike. However, they found it challenging to accelerate aggressively towards the end. Hampton Hill reached 131-5 with about 15 overs remaining.
Jake Woods played a responsible yet positive innings, finishing unbeaten on 37 from nearly a run a ball, helping Hampton Hill to post a total of 189-9 in their full 55 overs. This was a significant improvement from the previous week and provided a solid platform for the Hill bowlers to attach and be aggressive. A possible blueprint for weeks to come with this being our effort at setting a total this season
Bowling Performance
Captain Boulton led from the front with the ball, dismantling the Sanderstead top order by taking the first five wickets. His spell included a caught and bowled, two jaffers castling the stumps, a plumb LBW, and a sharp catch by JNS from a parried by Woods (praying and meakly calling for JNS to save his ass). A Mackinney supported well, bowling with serious pace and making the Sanderstead batsmen uncomfortable, squilling as the ball fizzed past there noses. At 88-6, Hampton Hill was in a commanding position, needing just four more wickets.
Middle and Lower Order Resistance
Sanderstead’s number 7, John Devaney, counter-attacked effectively, keeping Sanderstead in the hunt. Jack Fullicks then came on to bowl and took a quick three wickets, including two in two balls, one of which was a stunning delivery to bowl the left-handed number 9 threw the gate. D Merchant caught number 10 with a remarkable one-handed catch which looked out of reach, beating the bookies odds that the catch would go down, leaving Sanderstead at 116-9, still needing 74 runs.
Remarkable Last-Wicket Partnership
In a dramatic turn of events, reminiscent of the Ben Stokes and Jack Leach partnership at Headingley, John Devaney and the number 11 batsman put together a defiant last-wicket stand. They survived everything the determined Hampton Hill bowlers threw at them, steadily chipping away at the target. As the required runs dipped below 20, Devaney looked more settled and commanding, while the number 11 displayed stubborn resistance. Against all odds, Sanderstead achieved a remarkable victory, taking the Hills moment and the Hill without a hero. The cricketing gods shone on Sanderstead this day.
Post-Match Reflection
Hampton Hill, though wounded, showed great sportsmanship, congratulating Sanderstead on their incredible comeback. Despite the loss, Hampton Hill displayed promising signs of improvement and resilience, suggesting that their moments of glory are just around the corner. The team remains hopeful and determined to build on these performances in the coming weeks.
Special Mention
A special mention goes out to @~James NS, who is getting married next week. We wish James the best day and a wonderful honeymoon with his soon-to-be wife and family. Try enjoy it and not miss the cricket too much.
