4th XI vs Horndon On The Hill CC, 4th XI

Another Saturday, another 4s win.

We welcomed Horndon on the Hill (HH) to the Hallowed Turf of the Shenfield Park Pitch. A top of the table clash between the 2 sides who started the day in 2nd and 3rd place. A game on the 4’s sporting calendar which is always a spectacle.

The Match started in an unusual fashion for the 4’s skipper with the Horndon Skipper’s cry of “Cock” as I flicked the new 4’s coin into the air. He won the toss and elected to have a bat. The Pitch was drier than my mothers first attempt at a chicken pie and offered at times both turn and bounce.

After 20 overs the HH Batsmen had put on 112 runs for the loss of 3 wickets giving themselves a very strong starting block for their second half. Welcome Nurul Huda, 8 overs 2-22 with 2 wicket maidens killed the HH attack. With just one solitary fielder on the legside at deep mid wicket, the HH men became confused by all the space in which they could have played the ball and instead opted at blocking it inside the packed off-side field that resembled 2012 V Festival. The Batting side likely bamboozled by the constant cries coming from deep mid-wicket of Hudaman Youdaman. El Captiano took over the ball for his second spell of 4 overs 1-1. In the end the HH boys managed to put on a very respectable score of 185 but much less than looked possible after the first 20. Highlights of the first innings included Lance Armstrongs inability to use his gloves standing up to Nurul Huda missing 2 Stumpings but eventually stopped thinking about how many Jaegers he might have after the game and instead focused on taking a worldy down the leg side. Phil the Hill lived up to his namesake, running or possibly jogging up the hill for 7 overs taking 2 wickets as a Bowden 4s Debutant. El Capitano diving catch which he palmed to mid off for the run out to ensure Josh Judd a new entry into his fantasy team got those runout points.

Mr Shenfield and Lance Armstrong led the boys out but were both dismissed sweeping some loopy dross. The former however triggered by Jamie Kirby after smashing the ball into his pads was left dumbfounded. Luckily for the umpire Nilbert was not around this week to crucify him. Max Toolan and the Mystery Spinner found themselves at the crease after just 10 overs at 48-2 but both boys batted spectacularly, there were no 1 legged slogs over cow or hit and hopes the ball was struck wisely through the covers and if not for a dip in blood sugar levels causing a wild swing at a full toss these 2 would have led us to victory for the loss of just the 2 wickets. Toolan continued on and ended the day on 88* from 63 balls.

This win takes Shenfield up to the top of the table where we belong. The 4s are massive everywhere we go!

#Upthe4s