Arriving at Southover on a sunny afternoon with a wedding taking
place in the clubhouse, the Horizontals were stunned to hear of the
sudden death the previous evening of the Sundown Specials' Joe Haranhouf.
Our sympathies go out to his family and friends. Sundown
Specials Website
Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, skipper Needham chose
to open with Burgess and Scally. As the Specials were missing their
usual opening bowlers Pilgrim & Cattel, the Horizontals began
optimistically but it took until only the fourth over for Scally to
drive Herlihy dim-wittedly to cover and make way for Craig Murray
- newly re-invented as a No. 3. Burgess edged to slip to make the
score 33-2 in the 14th over which wasn't exactly the start we'd been
hoping for. Happily the in-form Simon Warren immediately crashed two
boundaries and a fruitful 3rd wicket partnership was up and running.
With Murray steady at one end, Warren smote a rapid 19 before being
caught, paving the way for Barry Needham to demonstrate his sweep
shot in helping to add 47 for the 4th wicket. as the run-rate accelerated.
Specials' skipper Herlihy then introduced the wily spinner, Tony Medlock
who preceeded to cut a swathe through the WHCC batting. He quickly
bowled Andre Leon (10 from 5 balls, typically) and had Fairbairn well
caught behind to leave the innings in trouble at 128-6. Rob Richardson
entered the arena as the designated crashman and smashed 28 as the
total reached 173 before Medlock eventually won an intriguing battle
when Rob skied to cover and fell victim to a fine running catch. Murray
quickly followed, LBW for a hard-earned 43 and Medlock clinched his
fifth wicket when Webster was well caught at short midwicket. There
was just time for a fine cover drive from Steve Moore before Ivan
Naisbitt had Keith Smart stumped to end the WHCC innings with 188
on the board.
The players of both teams then observed a minute's silence in honour
of Joe Haranhouf.
After a fine tea (fresh pineapple! Like it),
Matt Webster and Keith Smart opened the bowling looking for an early
breakthrough. Medlock was striking the ball ominously cleanly and
he was particularly severe on Smart, depositing three deliveries into
neighbouring gardens to demonstrate incontrovertibly that he isn't
vulnerable to legside full tosses - although Murray was doubtless
itching to test him further.
But things began to look up when Smart had opener Vernon caught behind
for 9 and Webster comprehensively bowled Jani for a duck. When Smart
bowled Sian for 1 the home side were 50 odd for three and the match
was in the balance. But that's as good as it got for the Horizontals
as Medlock and McGowan put on a batting exhibition; blocking the good
balls diligently and ruthlessly punishing anything wayward. Moore,
Scally, Richardson and Warren were all introduced to the attack but
no-one could break through with three difficult chances being missed
by Scally, Murray and Warren. Although the match went to the last
over, the Specials proceeded serenely to the winning target to win
by seven wickets. At the close McGowan was 69 not out whilst Medlock
completed a satisfactory day by adding 88 not out to his earlier return
of 5-19.
An entertaining day's cricket the and we look forward to renewing
rivalry next season.
