Boughton CC (07/05/2017)

Result: Won by 15 runs

HARGROVES AND CO GET PULSES RACING IN BREATHTAKING KENT-COAST ENCOUNTER

WCC 183 for 7 (35 overs)

McDonald 41, Husaini 25, Hargroves 56, Jonny Hawkins 13, McCallum 5, Arthur Dibiase 1, Orwell 20 not out, Farr 4, Andrew Dibiase 2 not out

DNB - Hajela, D'inverno

Corbin 2-38

Boughton 168 all out (34.1 overs)

Carter 32, Delaney 28, Waters 22, Shaw 20

Orwell 6-2-13-3, D'inverno 7-0-34-0, Hajela 7-1-24-1, Arthur Dibiase 7-1-39-2, Hawkins 4-0-25-1, Hargroves 2.1-0-13-2

Catches: Husaini (wk), Farr

Stumping: Husaini

Run out: Hawkins

Debut: Hawkins, Arthur Dibiase & Farr

In these troubled times, you’d expect us to do everything in our power to help save the NHS. However, it was East Kent & Canterbury NHS Trust that came to the rescue of the Weekenders, with five players to make up the eleven for the Boughton fixture. After a convivial prandial sitting, we travelled to a gloomy but unusually bone-dry Mount Ephraim Park. Skipper lost the toss (again), and the ‘Enders got first use on an improved, but still lively-looking track. 

After some excellent prep work by Husaini, Dr Hargroves began the main procedure with some arrhythmia-inducing clouts to the boundary. The GMC might examine the attempted run that led to his dismissal, after an exhilarating 56 - but the Weekenders were in full command. At the other end, McDonald had been the perfect up-tempo foil, despite only scoring one boundary in a busy run-a-ball 41. Jonny Hawkins came in at number four (try saying that aloud without sounding like a Pathé newsreel announcer), and along with the rest of middle order, propelled the ‘Enders close to 200; a good score in this 35-over contest.

The Weekenders fielding display was strangely infused with a medical-style teamwork ethic (well, before the surgical spirit got the better of Hargroves), as everyone contributed with good performances to keep Boughton behind in the chase. It was wonderful to see Skip steaming in with the red cherry, and Dr Hajela bowled a beautifully-tight spell, dismissing the dangerous Delaney, who was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Farr. 14-year-old Arthur Dibiase brought cheer to the purists, with elegant wrist-spin accounting for two of the top six batsmen. And Hargroves returned from his rural flânerie to snare two late wickets, sew up the patient and pronounce it dead.