Cricket: Thousand Island for Aussie Hosking

Posted on September 15, 2008

The penultimate game of the season against Simmonds turned out to be an exciting one. Simmons batted first after Bray once again lost the toss.

Lucky Singh smashed the ball to all parts in his quickfire 87, but it was the introduction of skipper Jones to the attack which left him bemused. A rank long hop left him playing his shot far too early, and as the ball gripped, turned and bounced at record slow speed, it came down on the stumps.

A well taken skier by Hosking and a wonder catch from Wilson in the deep gave Jones his 2nd & 3rd wickets and the skipper ended his spell with 3-21 off 6 overs to end his season on a high. Good catches from McDermid and Harvey kept wickets falling and Simmonds ended up on 176.

Aussie Hosking needed 62 runs to make 1000 runs for the year - clearly his lacklustre performance in the field was to ensure that a decent total was set by the visitors. He survived one sharp dropped catch and then proceeded to make hay, hitting 3 sixes in one over into the farmyard, causing the farmer to lose his temper. Sensing trouble, the Aussie promptly got out, for 83, thus ensuring his objective was reached.

Bray looked to be cruising, but the quick fall of Peacock, Harvey (golden) and Flecknell sent jitters in the team. One man was standing firm at the other end, Joe Roff. With his now solid defensive technique he was ensuring that the collapse that threatened to happen, did not, and in Kerins he had a partner who paced the innings to perfection, the two of them ensuring victory with 1 over to spare.

Roff ended up hitting the winning runs to finish on 9 not out and he batted for 22 overs. This was by far his best innings for the club and went someway to compensating for his two dropped catches, one of which my 3 year old nephew would have had difficulty in dropping. Obviously attempting to ensure he wins the Friendly bowling cup this season!!

-- The Finisher

• Result: Eaton Bray CC - Friendly XI Won by 4 wickets
• Date: Sun 14th Sep 2008 @ 13:30
• Ground: The Rye Gardens
• Type: Friendly
• Scoring: Standard
• Toss: Simmons CC - 1st XI won the toss and decided to bat

Source: Eaton Bray Cricket Club