Harberton v Erratics played on 15^th August 2010

• Played at Stonehills, Harberton
• Toss won by Harberton
• Harberton 202 for 9 wickets in 40 overs
• Erratics 132 for 9 wickets in 40 overs
• Harberton won by 70 runs.

Although Harberton’s first ever match against the Exeter University based team Erratics ended in victory by a large margin, the game proved to be more competitive than the scores suggested.

Winning the toss, Jack Buckner opted to bat on a tricky wicket which had been softened up by the deluge of rain in the past 24 hours. Batting was not easy as the ball came off the wicket slowly making timing of shots difficult. It required a combination of patience and concentration by batsmen to survive early on. This was demonstrated magnificently by the Harberton captain who found it difficult to score early on but gradually accelerated as he adjusted to the conditions. Even the usually belligerent Powell batted watchfully although he crashed the occasional loose ball to the boundary until in the 13^th over he lost patience and was bowled by Cook for 20 with the score at 39. The bowling of Oughton was outstanding. Exploiting superbly the Boycott ‘corridor of uncertainty’ no batsman could score against him. He thoroughly deserved his 4 wickets for a miserly 8 runs in 8 overs bowled in two spells.

The in form Oakey replaced Powell and the score continued to progress slowly, reaching 70 after 20 overs. It was in the 23^rd over that Oakey exploded into action. Cook, who had bowled well, was the unfortunate victim as 18 runs were smashed to all parts of the ground to bring up the Harberton 100. Oakey’s build and batting was Bothamesque as he hit eight 4’s and a mighty 6 before being dismissed for 62 in the 30^th over with the score at 148, caught by Forrester off Pearson. Buckner followed soon after having completed a patient half century. Kaye (29) continued the rapid scoring, but wickets tumbled regularly as Ferro (2 for 28) and Oughton ripped through the Harberton tail. 202 was always going to be a difficult score to get on this wicket.

After tea the veteran pair Goldsmith (1 for 32) and Shephard (1 for 19) opened the bowling. Shephard’s first ball was probably the most significant of the innings as his well pitched up delivery was mistimed by the in form Ferro and lobbed up to Elliot Buckner at mid on – Ferro out for a rare golden duck!

This put the Erratics batting on to the back foot and the score rose slowly as Forrester (18) and Cook (27) batted watchfully. It was young Whitlock and Culf who broke the deadlock taking two wickets apiece once the score had reached 50 for one wicket. This effectively ended the game for Erratics as they fell well behind the asking rate. Only Power with an unbeaten 43 showed any real resistance as Erratics fell 70 runs short of the Harberton total. An enjoyable game , played in excellent spirit.