A match round-up by Hampset Cricket Club – Saturday 19th July.
Hampset 3rd XI posted 127 at New Eleven 2nd XI, who reached their target in 19.5 overs
Hampset 3rd XI were well beaten at Bristol New Eleven 2nd XI in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Nine East on Saturday 19th July.
The home side needed only 19.5 overs to reach their target after Hampset were shot out for 127.
However, the game started well for Hampset, with captain Jack Hughes winning the toss and electing to take first knock on a pitch that looked tricky to bat on but would only get worse as the game progressed.
The difficult batting conditions were shown almost instantly, with inconsistent bounce and exaggerated movement off the pitch.
It was not long before Hampset found themselves 5-2, Chris Kindon and Jon Wright both departing early.
Hughes and Charlie Dolman then steadied the innings, with the former choosing to counter the pitch and accurate bowling with some aggressive hitting. The partnership reached 37 before Hughes was out to a caught and bowled for 38.
In came John Dolman, returning to the side after a lengthy absence, to partner his son Charlie. A brisk 20 from 19 balls from Dolman senior took the score to 76 before the uneven bounce accounted for him with one that kept low.
The uneven bounce also caused the departure of Sam Kindon off the next ball, but this time with one that popped on him, causing the ball to loop to the keeper.
Tom Hutchings was next in, and he and Dolman junior took the team to drinks. Their partnership, the highest of the Hampset innings at 42, lifted the score to 118, before Hutchings was the sixth better to fall. He was stumped on 11 after he went for a wander and duly missed the ball.
That departure sparked a collapse which saw the innings close quickly, Charlie Dolman eventually out for an excellent 36.
Keen to make life as difficult as possible for the New Eleven batters, Hampset opened their attack with the swing of Jas Sinclair and the pace of Joe Hall. Both looked threatening and found the edge on a number of occasions.
Sinclair took the first wicket, thanks to a superb, athletic, diving catch by Kindon at first slip.
Hall then bagged a wicket via a great catch from Hughes.
New Eleven were 34-2, well on their way to the target but wary of a pitch that had seen batters hit in the chest and helmet from good-length balls.
Hughes and Hutchings entered the attack. Runs came steadily for the home side but Hughes took a wicket and some revenge, returning the favour of a caught and bowled thanks to a blistering catch high up to his left.
There was enough time for Hutchings to finally remove the stubborn New Eleven opener, leg before, for 41.
New Eleven had the match wrapped up in the last over before drinks, finishing on 131-4.
Hall’s 1-20 from his five overs was the pick of the bowling.
Hampset’s man of the match was Hughes for his excellent 38 with the bat, two catches and a wicket.
This Saturday (26th July), Hampset host Bristol Lions 2nd XI in Division Nine East.
