Khanbhai and Harding set up a win against the Hogs

As in recent years, Warnford turned on the weather for us, though slightly cloudy, the sun was out, and the humidity high, meant for perfect bowling conditions (this is clearly written by a bowler) and a good batting track.

The two skippers approached the wicket, which was in perfect condition, for the toss. Heads was called, incorrectly as it turns out, with Mark Goodeve-Docker putting LNZ out to bat. Should the LNZ skipper have one the toss, we would have bowled first also.

With some last-minute juggling of the bating line-up (due to a very late withdrawal), meant LNZ started with 10. What was great when naming a team is seeing two debutants in Elliot Wright and Chris Eastlake, who are very both welcomed to the club, even though Elliot is heading back to Australia, he certainly is welcome back at any stage.

The order was selected, with Elliot W and Adam K taking the crease first up. A fantastic opening pair who settled very well. Elliot was given out LBW in typically controversial circumstances, 6’5” full stride down the wicket and the ball glancing off down leg………

Adam Khanbhai had a great knock with the highest score of the day of 55 from 48 and a fabulous innings to watch. Gwynn (Hogs opener) managed to sneak past Adams guard removing the bails.

Coming in at 4, Sam Harding came with expectation for some hard hitting. He settled into his stride patiently and punished the bad balls. Not long after, the expectation of hard hits came and with the typical Harding fashion……….losing the ball with a huge knock into the neighbouring sileage field. Sam fashioned a great 45 from 51 balls but was caught trying to sweep and catching a top edge.

That was pretty much it in the batting department.

The LNZ skipper, knowing the Hampshire track well, knew that defending a total of 179 was do-able, so the team hit the pitch with typical gusto.

The new ball went to Ryan, with Leith backing him up the other end. Those two strung a fantastic opening partnership and laid the foundation for the rest of the innings.

First change was Jeremy (Plural) Child and ex-Black Cap Graeme Thomson. Jeremy bowled very well and took the key wicket of S Hussain who was powering along for 37 of just 29 balls. The timing was perfect, as the momentum was swinging in the direction of the Hogs camp.

The LNZ skipper decided it was time to enter the fray from the bottom end, with an attempt to stall the Hogs, thankfully it came off and the job was done.

Once removed from the far end, the skipper decided to bring his son, Aaron, to the crease with a couple of brilliant overs. Chris Eastlake proved himself a very useful bowler from the other end and looks like a very useful middle bowler.

Leith and Ryan came back on to tie off the game with Leith picking up the last wicket, just one ball into his 8^(th) over.

LNZ extremely happy to have picked up the win in a seesaw game by 39 runs.

Player (s) of the day went to Leith Cowie and Ryan Allan for some great work with the ball.

Skippers note: -

Huge thanks to everyone who made the journey down and helped give us the win. Also a special mention to Martin Conway who, as always, is a stalwart for the club. Also a mention for the keeper Dickie Courey, who was sensational behind the stumps.