Little Bardfield Village CC vs. Elmstead CC
LBVCC vs. Elmstead CC
Date: 7th September 2024
Venue: Fortress Bardfield
Toss: Little Bardfield won the toss and chose to bat
With regular Skipper Rory Hitchcock jetting off for a warm weather training camp Vice-Captain Will Slemmings stepped in to steer the side. Things got off to a good start with a winning toss, with a strong batting line up Will opted to let the home side set a big target for the visiting Elmstead to chase in their battle to escape relegation.
Daryl Hymas and Matt Graham headed out in overcast and slightly muggy conditions ready to finish off the final home game of the 2024 season in style. The pair started well nearly making a 50 partnership before Daz (22) fell to a Michael Burle delivery, Callum Hymas (1) replaced his father but struggled to play himself in, eventually being bowled trying to come down the wicket to a Jordan Elliot delivery.
The 2nd Hymas' dismissal introduced Jack Davies out to partner Matt Graham (47), who was pottering towards his 50. Sadly another Jordan Elliott delivery put an end to his stint in the middle, this may or may not be related to the scorer jinxing Matt by telling Joe Owen he was on 47 and get ready to celebrate the opening batsman's half century.
Sam Register (2) didn't last long, a mistimed slog sweep hit glove, then bat and finally stumps to dismiss an unlucky and frustrated Register. Jack (17) was caught by Aidan O'Brien, next out was Tom Graham who unbeknownst to the onlooking LBVCC fans was about to put on a show….
Joe Owen (17) went to work with Tom pushing the Bardfield total up, notching bonus points as they went. He was eventually caught by Sarankumar Panididurai, sending Captain Slemmings out. The elder Graham brother was off to the races, hitting boundaries for fun and generally making the visiting bowlers life miserable whilst helping secure the Oxslips maximum batting points. Will (13) eventually found the safe hands of Jordan Elliott, Nelion Ridley (2) was dismissed after he too found a pair of Elmstead hands.
Sam Goodfellow (1*) joined Tom (91* from 59 balls!) to finish the innings off with Bardfield ending 266/8. Little Bardfield debutant Dom Ridley didn't make it out to bat but put in an admirable fielding display and we look forward to seeing him feature more next season and in the seasons to come!
After an amazing tea (huge thanks to Sarah Hymas + Libby Ridley for your efforts) a well fed Oxslip side took to the field. 3 things in life are certain…death, taxes and Matt (0-16) opening the bowling down the hill at Fortress Bardfield. Will (3-49) filled Rory's boots bowling up the hill but the initial breakthrough came after switching Graham brother. Tom (2-38) didn't disappoint, taking a wicket with his first ball and sending Daniel Loveless (30) packing.
Nathan Scarff (24) joined Jordan Elliott in the middle and the pair started heading towards the 100 mark. They were going well until a risky run attempt led to Scarff being run out, his replacement O'Brien (11) was casually caught out by Will who plucked the ball out of the air with one hand from a Callum ball (1-26). Jordan Elliott by this point had racked up 55 runs and was facing Daz (1-47) who was bowling up the hill. In an attempt to charge down the wicket to Hymas Sr. he misjudged the flight of the ball and had his bails whipped off by the lightning hands of Register, smashing the ground in frustration as Bardfield celebrated the fall of a big wicket
Elmstead were 132-4 but Bardfield spirits were high, Tom dismissed Harry Smith for a duck, Arthif Asmil (15) supported Adam Worsley before Will bowled him. Joe Owen (2-24), having recovered from a mid-week shoulder niggle fancied his chances with the ball and bowled Sarankumar Panididurai (6). The Oxslip skipper then dismissed Michael Burle (2) and Nicholas Jerome (4) in quick succession, this left the visitors 203/9 and hopes of a win incredibly slim.
Having seen the post-match BBQ being fired up Will was keen to wrap the game up with the final wicket, knowing it would take something truly special to bag the last wicket LBVCC's Skipper called on Sam Goodfellow to warm up. Goodfellow prepared himself to shake up the bowling with some left-hand, round the wicket rockets. Worsley (34) clearly heard this call to arms and it unsettled him as with the next delivery from Joe Owen saw him send the ball into his own stumps and the game was over.
A very welcome 20 points to close out LBVCC's last home game of 2024 was celebrated late into the evening with beers, wine and burgers! Thanks to all who have visited Fortress Bardfield this year, we look forward to welcoming you back in 2025