Brentwood CC Victorians Vs Hornchurch

Another sunny day sunny and the Vic’s welcomed Hornchurch Athletic for a 40 over game on the back pitch.

Alford won the toss, which did not bode well given the fact the Vic’s have lost every game this season when Alford has won the flip of the coin. It was time for the Vic’s to bat first again.

Surajbally and Alford (promoted from number 11 to opener) opened the batting and made slow progress on a wicket that was doing a little for the bowlers. Only 14 runs had been scored in 6 over’s, including a 6 off the much fabled ghost shot (it makes no sound off the bat) from Surajbally. After being wrapped on the hand from a sharp delivery, Alford decided to take the game by the horns and go for it. He was bowled next ball! Beecheno faired little better and Mahadeo, despite playing some trademark shots, fell for 11. Hilliard was next for 5. It was slow going (66 scored of the first 20 overs) and wickets were tumbling at an alarming rate. Emanuel was next at the crease and showed some much needed resistance. He and Surajbally now started to accelerate before Emanuel was caught on 35. Surajbally was now in rampant form smashing 4’s and 6’s all round the ground. He finally fell for 134 trying to push the runs to get a decent total on the board. Gabir and O’Brien pinched and prodded a few more singles to end the Vic’s innings on 218.

Following another cracking Pat and Roger tea, the Vic’s took to the field. Markham opened the bowling with his predictable accuracy but was unable to make any impact. Timmy at the other end was doing a little better and although going for 25 off 4 over’s, picked up 2 important wickets. A run-out saw another Hornchurch wicket go down which brought Coote to the crease. Coote never looked in trouble and began to easily stroke the ball around the field and even Alford who tearing around like a player half his age, could not stem the flow of runs. O’Brien replaced Timmy but was going for 10 an over and was just about to be taken off when he clean bowled Coote (72). This was a massive wicket and just what the Vic’s need to regenerate themselves. Hilliard was brought on to bowl and this increase in pace saw Hornchurch start to struggle. Wickets were falling rapidly and even the appearance of Davis, who scored 198 not out against the Vic’s at Herongate, could stop the collapse. Hilliard was on fire, ensuring that the last 4 batsmen did not score a run between them. Hilliard finished with figures of 7 over’s, 1 maiden, 5 wickets for 27 runs which included a very unusual sight in a Victorian’s match………. A stumping by the very impressive Emanuel behind the sticks! It has been 3 ½ years since this phenomenon has been witnessed in the Vic’s. This just goes to show what happens when a decent keeper gets behind the stumps.

This was a match of 2 players Surajbally with the bat and Hilliard with the ball.

The Victorians won by 76 runs