Batters make hay before rain stops play
There was blood sweat and beers for Northchurch first eleven as the whole of division 3a was washed out for the second week running.
Highlights: Liveing 68, cheeseboard, Hobley's toe
With a first choice batting line up in attendance, Hertford second eleven were keen to push for a win in their attempt to leapfrog Redbourn into the promotion zone and invited Northchurch to bat.
Skipper Jamie Riddle may have regretted his decision as Liveing and Bexon made the most of a good batting surface and confidently took on the seamers to see Northchurch to 50 without loss after ten overs.
The introduction of spin slowed the run rate but the opening pair looked certain to post a century opening stand. Bexon, however, was to fall to an excellent caught and bowled by Cavener with the score on 98.
Garraway was characteristically aggressive but holed out to long on for 31 while trying to move the match along. Liveing skied a sweep shot to the keeper but not before compiling a dominant 68 in an innings rich in sumptuous cover drives and explosive pull shots.
The prolific partnership of McGiffin and Hobley came together in spotting rain to add another sixty to their season tally and take the score past 200. At this point the rain got heavier and an early tea was taken. Mention must be given to the fine spread laid on by Hertford's tea lady, which included a superb array of homemade desserts and an excellent cheese board.
In the best selection since Charles Fidler's call up to the first team, a pepper-rolled paprika goats was complimented perfectly by a cranberry Wensleydale and a superbly ripened brie, all set off with a delightful rustic red onion chutney which cut through the rich ensemble like the other side of the pillow on a hot summer's night. The only dampener to the refreshment break was the sight of Calum Lindsay spreading a sweet digestive biscuit with butter. Disgraceful.
By six o'clock, and in identical fashion to last week, the captains reluctantly agreed to shake hands on an abandoned game, although silver linings were twofold. First, news that no other teams across the division would yield more than 10 rain-points, meaning a static table, and second, another crack at those splendid cheeses.
The early finish gave the lads time for some team bonding which culminated in an evening stepping out in old Berkhamsted town. Sadly, disaster struck when a well-aimed stiletto heel of a fellow patron sneaked through the defences of the usually watchful Hobley and landed squarely on the end of his beflip-flopped, pus-filled, in-growing toenail, causing fluids to spurt all over the floor and the excellent duty manager and nominated first aider of the King's Arms to spring into action.
Luckily the injury healed in time for the former skipper to make a nearly match-winning 70 not out in the Putman cup against Berkhamsted on Sunday, a game which Northchurch lost by 28 but did well to take to the last over.
In his current form, Hobley will no doubt declare himself fit to play against relegation-threatened Old Finchleians at the Meadow next Saturday, in the last of the three-result matches.