First win in years at Hartley Wintney

This year’s fixture started off with a rarity unseen in a number of years - a good forecast. And in the famous catchphrase of one infamous LNZCC member, this wasn't just any forecast - it was an unbelievable forecast. Sun and 27 degrees. A forecast that would probably see the club’s mainstay bowler - Sam Martin - most likely just going with the one vest and not the standard two in May, should he have been playing.

After taking a different tack this year to previous years pre game festivities, the mandatory lunch across the road at the Cricketer's Pub lacked a certain few items seen in years gone by. That item being Chardonnay, pints and more chardonnay.

The toss was won by Hartley Wintney and the no-brainer decision was made by the opposition to bat first. It should be known that LNZCC skipper for the day (Jarrad Bourke) had no hesitation in asking the opposition captain to empty his pockets after the toss to make sure there were no loose bits of sandpaper floating around or anything else hidden. A question that was deemed fair and appropriate given he was Australian.

Opening the bowling attack was Adam Horvath and Scott Baldwin. The latter much-welcomed back into LNZCC colours having kindly offered to help fill numbers for the club.

Both openers were removed for low scores with Horvath and Baldwin both taking a scalp each. Bowling at first drop were John Dennis and Chairman Gerard Walsh. Both found their line and length early on with Dennis particularly impressing with his Murphy Sua-like bowling style. Wickets started to fall in fairly quick fashion with Dennis snaring scalps at regular ease and along with some handy work by Walsh and Bartle, Hartley Wintney found themselves 94 runs with the loss of 7 wickets. One of those key wickets being first drop Matt Kerr who always threatens and went with a well-compiled 55 runs. The HW no9 batsman Dan Nightingale showed some talent with clean hitting and aggressive shot making in his cameo which saw him finish on 40 not out. HW finishing all out for 150 with the pick of the bowlers going to John Dennis with his cracking figures of 4-27 off 8 overs, with an honourable mention to the veteran Philip Bartle who drafted himself into the side at very late notice and picked up 3 wickets in 5 balls to clean up the HW tail.

LNZ's turn to bat and we were lead out by Ratcliffe and Jefferies. Both fell cheaply bringing Khanbai and Fulton to the crease. They would go on to put together strong 3rd wicket partnership of 86 which saw both batsman display a good example of application at the crease. Khanbhai was eventually dismissed for 39 with the score on 107. That bought in Fish and then Bourke who were both removed for noughts with the score on 107. Baldwin was next batter in and helped steady the ship again with Fulton at the other end hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. Baldwin was dismissed for 18 bringing Horvath to the crease with just a few runs required for victory. LNZ reached the 151 target with Fulton finishing the game in style hitting the bowler back over his head with the balll crashing into the gutter on top of the club pavilion (and doing some damage I believe). LNZ achieved the win with 6 wickets down and 11 overs to spare. Again, a special mention to Fulton for finishing on a run a ball 75 not out.

Lastly, a tough decision over man of the match (thanks to Martin Conway for the bottle of claret) with the award going to John Dennis for his cracking effort with the ball, which helped confine the opposition to a much lower than usual score in this fixture.

This was the first win for LNZ in this fixture for at least 6 years so well done chaps and thanks to the Hartley Wintney gentlemen who are always great to play against and as hospitable as any other team in our wonderful fixtures list.