MATCH REPORTS - SATURDAY 1ST XI 2008

Horton Kirby Saturday 1st XI

Many congratulations go to The Saturday 1st XI who has been promoted from Division 1 to the Premier league as champions.  Having won all 14 games played so far this season with recent hard fought victories against Marden and Cobham, the Saturday 1st team cannot be overtaken by the chasing pack and will now be re-elected to the top tier after a long gap.  

The brave and successful inclusion of young talented cricketers such as Tom Hawkes, Ben Crouch, Andy Chapman and Darren Bridges, the consistent availability of senior players such as Darren Bull, Marc Titler, Dane Bull and Paul Evans and the astute captaincy of Paul Love, well supported by Clive Green and Warren Bull has proved to be too strong a line up for everyone they have faced so far this season.

The challenge is to play this brand of cricket at a more competitive level, and this step up in class will prove to be a stern but welcome challenge for this young, developing and talented team.

 

Saturday 1st X1 V Selsted                                                             26th July 2008

The continual investment in youth development again brought dividends to Horton Kirby as young and rising talent promoted to the first team this season dominated in this Invicta league match.

Winning the toss, skipper Paul Love had no hesitation in batting first in 90 degree heat against the bottom ranked team in the league.  Conditions were ideally suited to batting with a fast outfield and a true batting track which has lost some of its early season pace.

The early loss of the prolific Paul Evans and Darren Bull set the scene for 17 year old Darren Bridges who scored a dominant 73, well supported by James Scott (34) and strong contributions from the middle order.  Horton Kirby were all out in the final over of the innings for 236.

Dane Bull (4-27), Darren Bridges (3) and Ben Crouch (2) dismantled the Selsted response as they were wrapped up quickly for 77 allowing Horton Kirby to take maximum points.  The unbeaten Horton Kirby Saturday 1st XI are now well established at the top of Division one of the Invicta league, having won four more games than their nearest rival.

 

HKCC Saturday 1st XI  away to Willesborough                                     19th July 2008

As the holiday season starts the barrel of talent at Horton Kirby is starting to be scraped.

A weakened side travelled down to Willesborough and then chased leather all afternoon as the home side racked up 239-7 in excellent batting conditions.  Willesborough skipper Stuart Wilmer scored an unbeaten 109 despatching all bowling options with equal disdain.

Dane Bull (4-56) and Paul Evans (2-29) were the chief wicket takers

A side who has won 10 consecutive league games understands what is needed to turn a game around.  Paul Evans (71) and Darren Bull (48) got the innings off to a flying start and the middle order led by Darren Bridges (37) and Clive Green (24) upped the run rate as needed.  Horton Kirby were always ahead of the run rate as the Willesborough bowlers wilted under the pressure.  Horton Kirby passed the Willesborough total with two overs to go with 4 wickets in hand to maintain their position at the top of division one.

 

Saturday 1st X1 V West Farleigh                                                          12th July  2008

Horton Kirby Saturday First team continued on their unbeaten march to league promotion with their 10th consecutive win of the season against West Farleigh.

Batting first Horton Kirby amassed 244-6 from their 45 overs.

Needing maximum bowling points to maintain their at the top of the table, Skipper Paul Love adopted a mix of innovative field positions and he was supported well by aggressive bowling from the young Horton Kirby attack as West Farleigh were reduced to 224 all out in reply.  Horton Kirby won by 20 runs.

 

HKCC Saturday 1st XI  vs. Leeds and Broomfield                                   5th July 2008

The Horton Kirby Saturday First team completed the ninth consecutive league win to keep them on track for promotion this season.

Winning the toss on a hard and fast track Horton Kirby elected to bat, scoring 233 all out.  Skipper Paul Love was top scorer with 53, well supported by Clive Green (32) and Tom Hawkes (33 not out).

Horton Kirby’s young bowling attack came to the fore in the second innings as Darren Bridges (4-36) Ben Crouch (3-42) and Dane Bull (3-54) dominated the Leeds and Broomfield team.  Leeds were eventually dismissed for 177 as Horton Kirby won by 56 runs.

 

Horton Kirby Saturday 1st XI vs. Cobham                                             21st June 2008

Horton Kirby fielded first in this league encounter one man short as gifted but wayward all-rounder Tom Hawkes went to Cobham in Surrey and missed the first 31 Overs!

Protecting an unbeaten start to the league season, Horton Kirby fielded first on a lively track.

Marc Titler (3-14) and Dane Bull (3-40) enjoyed abundant bounce and movement as Cobham were skittled out for 151.

Batting was never easy on this track, but patience was rewarded as Andy Chapman (41) and Darren Bull (28) laid the foundations for a comfortable 5 wicket win.

 

West Farleigh CC vs. Horton Kirby Saturday 1st XI            10th May 2008

Horton Kirby were welcomed by a hard and fast wicket.  Electing to bat first, West Farleigh showed aggressive intent racing to 35 without loss from the first 5 overs.  Opening bowlers Marc Titler (1-50) and Bradley Bull (4-16) fought back like cornered tigers and wickets tumbled swiftly thereafter.  Ben Crouch (2-4) and Dane Bull (3-17) mopped up the tail and West Farleigh were dismissed for 89 as all 10 wickets fell for 50 runs in 25 overs.

Darren Bull received an unplayable Yorker first delivery as again West Farleigh raced out of the blocks early in the Horton Kirby reply, however sensible batting by Andy Chapman (39 not out) and Warren Bull (23) ensured Horton Kirby cruised home to win by 8 wickets.

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