Penn Street vs Hambleden

Penn Street 129-9 (M. Gloyens 35, N. Loftus 27; Mattingley 4-20, Arnold 3-40) beat Hambleden 125-8 (P. Rosier 52*; P. Goodchild 5-24) by 4 runs

A sunny Sunday morning saw Facebook literally ablaze with gossip and rumour about Hambleden's potential inability to raise a side and despite phone calls to just about everyone in south Buckinghamshire Penn Street's scenic jaunt to what is one of the most picturesque grounds on the circuit saw them ready to face off with just eight of Hambleden's finest. Rob Sutherland thus took on the role of Captain Oates and saw the game adapted to 9 vs 10 and toss won, Penn Street went out to bat. The early wickets of Parag and Tyler both playing the wrong line and Bob Randall, after a couple of positive shots, suggested that we were yet to grasp the vagaries of the wicket. However the stalwart Andy Coombes and Dave Lander rolled back the years to steady the ship allowing birthday boy Mark Gloyens to come in and smash the ball all over the park including one enormous six. Steady contributions down the order from Sam Martin and Nick Loftus in particular saw us close on what we thought was a competitive 129 all out.

Early wickets were needed but Hambleden's captain looking solid and ringer Rob Sutherland hooking a beamer from Goody off his nose for four we were getting a bit edgy. Luckily the renowned "Hambleden bounce" (or lack of) came into play and we were able to remove two top order batsmen in quick succession. Hambleden continued to build solid partnerships but determined fielding from Jamie Hazeldene and Sam Martin in particular aligned with disciplined bowling kept us firmly in the game. A few lusty blows from the number 8 suggested all was to be in vain until Parag took a crucial wicket exposing the tail as Hambleden crept steadily towards the target. It boiled down to 12 balls left, six runs to win and 1 wicket remaining when the number eleven missed a straight one and Penn Street won a hard fought victory showing the benefits of backing each other and never giving in, attributes I am sure will hold us in good stead for the rest of he season.