With the sun out and no sign of rain this was the first weekend that actually felt like cricket season. Hornchurch 1st XI were visiting Bull Meadow but off the back of 2 losses Totham fancied their chances.
Hornchurch won the toss and decided to bat. The first over of the game was very eventful and also very long.........with 14 balls being bowled. Although it seemed an eternity it was not long before the breakthrough and it was supplied by the returning Jack Bowen who removed the opener’s leg stump after bringing one in back down the hill.
From the other end there would be a great spell that spanned 20 over through 2 bowlers that kept the pressure on Hornchurch from S.Bowen (3-33) and O.Cheeseman (2-39).
The Oaktrees fielding has vastly improved on last season with T.Garrett and Cheeseman holding on to a brace of catches apiece and a J.Pook run out to boost Totham looked to have done well in restricting the visitors to around 190 but with some average bowling to finish and a last wicket stand of 30 Hornchurch managed to get theirselves up to 235.
A special mention must go to R.Raffety of Hornchurch who scored a fraction under of his entire teams runs with a wonderful 117.
After tea Totham knew they had a tricky total to chase but the way the new opening partnership of skipper H.Cooper and T.Hawkridge made light work of the chase with an opening partnership of 168 and Cooper making a superb first century of the season with continuous power hitting down the ground. Cooper looked on course to reach the total unbeaten but slightly miscued one and was caught in the deep for 107.
Hawkridge continued on his way but fell short of his first half century of the season on 48. A few more wickets fell but it could not stop the inevitable as Great Totham eased to victory with 8 overs to spare.
Great Totham would like to give a big thank you to PC Care Essex for being today’s match sponsors.
Star Man:
Harry Cooper
