Bucks CC v Ley
Hill, 2nd August 2003
Tom Holman
Ley Hill’s record against Bucks CC over the years is not the best, and it was
with some trepidation that the team made the journey to picturesque Stoke
Mandeville, but an outstanding performance saw them return to Ley Hill with 20
more points in the bag. The result was a fine start to a spell of captaincy for
Ian Birkett, who anticipated a baptism of fire at the home of the league leaders
but led from the front to notch up the side’s fifth successive win. The success
will have been noted with interest from his poolside sun lounger by regular
captain Jon Lown, who just days after rallying his men with a cry of “Do you
want success or what?” provided his own answer to the question by booking a
three-week holiday to Spain at the most crucial stage of the season.
Earlier in the year Ley Hill had suffered an almighty caning
at the hands of Bucks CC, with opener Intikhab helping himself to 157 against a
toiling attack. But it was a different story this time round, as fiery
all-rounder Rob Thompson sent him back, caught and bowled, for just 11. Gary
Helm chipped in with two early wickets to leave their opposition reeling, but as
Hill have found to their cost in the past, Bucks CC can turn 30 for 3 into 250
all out in minutes. With the pressure on, up stepped skipper Birkett to take six
for 50 in an outstanding display of spin bowling that was tighter than Jon
Lown’s club spending budget. Backed by some agile fielding, Hill eventually saw
off the innings for 195 – a tremendous effort against such a strong batting
line-up but still a testing score on a notoriously unpredictable track.
With plenty of overs in which to get the runs, Hill started cautiously, with
openers Mark Curtis and Will Holman seeing off the new ball. Andy Rennard
departed for a rare golden duck, but Martin “Texas Pete” Leadbitter took on the
chase with a rapid 47. In tandem with Az Shakoor he brought the total within
sight, and after he departed Shakoor picked up the mantle with a superb 53 not
out to see the team over the finish line with six wickets and plenty of overs in
hand. This tremendous win brought Bucks CC within sight at the top of the table,
and with rivals Downley losing on the same day, the gap between second and third
widened. With four games left there’s all to play for!
Bucks CC: 195 all out (Birkett 6 for 50, Helm 2 for
46)
Ley Hill: 196 for 4 (Shakoor 53*, Leadbitter 47)
Ley Hill win by six wickets
Man of the match:
Ian Birkett, returning to the side after injury and rising to the challenge of
captaincy with a vital sixfer
Clown of the match: A
rare nomination for Andy Rennard, who picked up a first-baller