Harberton v Stoke Fleming -13th June 2010

Played for the Mills Village Shield.

  • Played at Stoke Fleming

·        Toss won by Harberton

·        Harberton             207 for 5 wickets in 40 overs

·        Stoke Fleming      209 for 5 wickets in 36.3 overs

·        Stoke Fleming won by 5 wickets to retain the Mills Shield

 

This was a match to remember, as the two teams locked horns in a battle to win the much vaunted Mills Shield. The quality of cricket was of the highest standard with Stoke Fleming deservedly taking the honours.

 

Jack Buckner won the toss and opted to bat on a dry hard wicket. The Stoke Fleming pace bowlers were at their meanest; accurate, lively and aggressive. They were supported by excellent fielding. Openers Christian Buckner and Skuse focused on survival rather than scoring. Dan Hardy and Noel Edmonds obtained swing and bounce from the new ball and Edmonds soon had young Buckner (5) back in the pavilion. With a nervous Harvey (11) following , bowled by Steve Edmonds, Harberton were in trouble at 47  for two wickets.

 

In strode Powell, a mighty colossus, to join Skuse. With the ball losing its shine, batting was becoming easier. Powell survived a close lbw appeal off Hardy’s bowling. He then began to open his shoulders and attack the bowling smiting several hefty blows to the boundary. Skuse joined in the fun as the pair put on a stand of 66. Church (2 for 37) entered the attack and unexpectedly dismissed Skuse who top edged a leg side bouncer to keeper Hardy for a well crafted 50. With Elliot Buckner giving a return catch to Church in the same over, Oakey joined Powell to set up a final10 over chase for runs.

 

Powell was awesome as he struck the ball to all corners of the ground. His unbeaten 81 contained 15 boundaries. Oakey (19) supported him well until he was run out just before the close. With a score of 207, Harberton went to tea feeling they had a fighting chance of winning back the Mills Shield. Pick of the Stoke bowlers were Noel Edmonds (1 for 15 in 8 overs) and Perkins (0 for 27) who beat the bat on numerous occasions without luck.

 

John Hardy is a man in a hurry. He does not believe in playing himself in. His all out attacking policy can destroy bowling attacks. Opening with Steve Edmonds, he lived dangerously but got the Stoke innings off to a flier. Lagden bowled his first over well and was stunned to see 3 balls fly to the boundry  off Hardy’s bat. This set the tone for Stoke’s response as they raced to 50 off 8 overs. Christian Buckner was brought on to stem the tide and in his second over he struck twice trapping Edmonds (20) lbw and bowling Dan Hardy (0)  first ball.

 

Heavy rain soon afterwards stopped play for 20 minutes. This worked in Stoke’s favour as the Harberton players found it difficult to grip the wet ball which as time passed became more like a bar of soap. Hardy continued to gather runs and with the score soaring to 140 in the 23rd over, Stoke looked comfortable. Captain Jack Buckner brought himself on to bowl and Hardy (69) skied a catch to Pike to end an excellent innings which contained 13 boundaries.Pike (2for12) joined the attack and picked up two quick wickets, Church (27) and Addison (0) , to give Harberton fresh hope. The next 6 overs went for just 8 runs as Noel Edmonds and Nicholls got their heads down but Harberton could not break through. As the remaining overs reduced, Edmonds went on top the attack with great success, his unbeaten 48, saw Stoke home with just 3 overs to spare.

 

A superb game, played hard but in good spirit with Stoke fully deserving their success.