Sunday 31st July 2011: Buckhorn v Shaftesbury (Three Counties League)

‘Buckhorn start final stretch for title’

Buckhorn squared up against a much improved Shaftesbury side from last season.  The weather looked set fair for the day and Buckhorn were hoping for a big win to try and get as many points as possible out of the game. 

Buckhorn started the match batting first and Simon B and Tom Blomfield went out to open up.  After their last monumental opening stand at Plush, they were hoping another stand of similar quality could be replicated.  Simon B and Tom started confidently, running hard between the wickets and batting aggressively.  Simon B took the early initiative and begun his onslaught on the Shaftesbury attack.  Simon B had gotten to another 50 in good time; meanwhile Tom was barely off the mark!  Both continued batting in the same vain and looked good to set up a big target for Shaftesbury.  Simon B was well into his stride and went past 100 with a well run single.  Soon after reaching his milestone Simon B played an ugly swipe and was out caught for 117.  Tom continued on and got to another 50, but was out practically next ball, bringing an end to a tiring and valuable innings.  The rest of the innings saw lots of slogs and hard running, resulting in Buckhorn finishing with 246.  With the strength of Buckhorn’s bowlers the total looked a stiff ask.

Shaftesbury’s innings was dogged by regular wickets, with the bowling (despite the numerous extras) remaining tight and accurate.  Daffy and Oliver Gash took the new ball and both did a good job, with Oliver doing most of the damage.  The seamers bowled well, but the spin introductions pulled Shaftesbury in and stopped them getting anywhere near the total.  Adam B and Simon Hasted bowled in tandem masterfully, consistently using their flight and guile to deceive the Shaftesbury batters.  The game finished slightly drearily, as Shaftesbury’s tail looked to survive the overs rather than chase the total.  This was a cause of frustration for the Buckhorn team, but Shaftesbury saw the final ball out and ended on 175/7.  The bowling plaudits went to the spin duo and Oliver Gash, who collected 3 wickets in an impressive bowling display.