Derby day hit by rain

NORTHCHURCH just came up short in a run chase, which was a revised 162 in 36 overs after Berkhamsted had posted 203 in 46. Chief contributor to their total had been Ian Bartholomew, who made a smart 80, though was lucky to survived an early edge from Darren James, which was too slippery for a stand in keeper to handle.

OJ did well up the hill and into the wind to make the most of the slope, but went wicketless in the early exchanges. The first change bowlers let the pressure off and Berkhamsted score freely, until Fidler got a ball in the right place to open an end. A good partnership developed, though not entirely untroubled by debutant, Saf, who bowled beautifully and was unlucky not to get a hat full.

The skipper decided he was too old to bowl up hill and found better areas with the wind at his back. It was young Harry who eventually got the much needed breakthrough, finding the edge with his angle across the right handed Costin. The Northchurch bowlers did well to contain for the rest of the innings.

IN reply, Northchurch did not get off to a great start. Louis, also on debut, was surprised by a first ball full toss and could only squirt it to gully. Who'd be an opening bat?

Joined by Saf, club veteran Simon Wheeler (pictured) played some shots and continually frustrated the Berkhamsted bowlers with a back-cut from the top of off stump. A rain break did for Saf who, after a very promising start, cut a ball to gully first ball. Hobley and Wheeler set about creating a foundation before the latter edged to first slip for a well made 42. The catch was impressive on such a cold day but was bettered when, two balls later, Henry was surprised by a lifter which flew in to the hands of a diving gully.

Liveing and Hobley took little risk in keeping in sight of the run rate, and both were at the crease into the last 10 overs of the innings. Unfortunately, Hobley fell to a Yorker while playing the first expansive shot in a bid to kick-start a surge to the total. Harry joined George and realised that he needed to rotate strike while getting himself in. The running went well until they took on Riaz, who was throwing down hill and down breeze. George learnt the lesson the hard way and was on his way back to the pavilion. With no set batsmen in, the run rate crept up and wickets fell, the innings eventually closing twenty short of the target.

A miserable day on which to be playing cricket and a shame not to win, but the skipper had set four pre-season objectives for the day, all of which were achieved so it could be considered mission success for our final friendly before the league starts next week.