1st XI
Matches
Sat 17 Aug 2019  ·  Division Three A
Northchurch Cricket Club
1st XI
157/2
154
Datchworth CC - 1st XI
Super Suckling Strikes seventy

Super Suckling Strikes seventy

Tom Vila20 Aug 2019 - 18:05
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Keeper-batsman makes light work of chase after bowlers see off Datchworth line up

The eight-wicket win makes the victory look straight forward, however, Northchurch played some superb cricket to earn the 30 points.

The first task was to win the toss, given that the pitch had been under covers for half the week. The new ball duly seamed around and Datchworth’s captain was soon on his way after feathering behind to Suckling. Other opener Bayford was trapped LBW by Darren James, who bowled a brilliant ten overs on the bounce, going for just 12 runs and unlucky not to finish with bag full of wickets.

OJ and Romit also bowled their spells straight through and finished with a brace apiece, before Vila came back on to take two more of his own. Liveing and Hobley wrapped up the innings with two smart run outs.

The pitch looked a lot flatter in the second half as Saf climbed into two sumptuous cover drives which dashed the Datchworth spirits. The visitors soon lifted again after a third attempted drive dragged the ball on and Saf had to make his way back to the pavilion.

Suckling met up with Liveing in the middle and the pair had little more trouble from the new ball. After a watchful start to the partnership, both men got a feel for the pace and began to time the ball well. Suckling was particularly impressive, his bat looking ever broader as he found the fence with increasing regularity.

The scampering keeper played some delightful shots, but the best had to be a down-the-pitch lofted drive to the spinner, which whistled up the hill for four. When the pair brought up the hundred partnership, the game was all but done, though Datchworth veteran Stroomer managed to earn his team an extra point by sneaking a straight one under Matt’s sweeping bat.

Gaz prodded it about a bit to allow George to make a well-earned half century at the other end, before unfurling a scorching cover drive to take his run tally into four figures for the year and bring the game to an end.

The win keeps Northchurch in top spot, with a relatively thin 21-point cushion ahead of second but needing 39 points to secure promotion. play. None of the three remaining games will be easy, especially with the pressure of Hoddesdon nipping at the heels.

Match details

Match date

Sat 17 Aug 2019

Kickoff

13:00

Competition

Division Three A
Team overview
Further reading