Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 50/60/70 Cricket
Hockerill Veterans v Two Counties Over 60s – 35 over game
Wednesday 26th May 2021 at Hockerill Sports and Social Club
Two Counties Over 60s 130 for 8 (Andrew Gallant 42, Richard Polley 20*, Peter Francis 2-8, Robert Locke 2-13, David Singer 2-29)
Hockerill Veterans 80 for 7 (Simon Sargent 3-19, Martin Southwell 2-2)
Two County Seniors won by 50 runs
In a week when most cricket was cancelled because of rain, Hockerill worked extremely hard to ensure that this game would take place. All of the Two Counties Seniors were very appreciative of their efforts.
With the damp conditions it was always going to be a game which favoured bowlers. In the Two Counties innings only Andrew Gallant with 42 and Richard Polley 20 not out, batted with any permanence, although there were useful contributions from Chris Martin and Simon Sargent. The innings closed at 130 for 8 after the allotted 35 overs.
This was not in itself a match winning score but it would depend on the bowling and fielding. With the first ball almost coming to the attention of the Air Traffic Controllers at nearby Stansted Airport there was an element of concern from the Two Counties captain. However, the opening bowlers Ken Greenaway and Martin Southwell settled into their rhythms bowling a very tight line and length such that the score was 12 for 2 after their 14 overs.
The replacement bowlers, Richard Polley and Simon Sargent also gave very few run scoring opportunities, Simon finishing his spell with 3 wickets for 19 runs. Andrew and John Gallant came on for the remaining overs and continued the good work such that the innings closed on 80 for 8 leaving The Two Counties Seniors victorious. All of the bowlers were supported by some excellent fielding.
There was no man of the match award due to the virus restrictions but if there had been one, Simon Sargent would have awarded it to himself.
It was an enjoyable afternoon’s cricket played in the right spirit by everyone.