Ley Hill v Hawridge & Cholesbury, Sunday 1st June 2003

Tom Holman

The annual fixture between the two local rivals is always competitive, though why the game is still played for a sponsor’s cup when Evans Halshaw stopped sponsoring either side about five years ago is a bit of a mystery. Hawridge retained the trophy with a 27 run win, though Hill had their moments in an entertaining 40 over game.

Batting first, Hawridge made 170 for 8, pegged back by Celtic paceman Liam O’Neill and larger-than-life seamer Rob Thompson who shared seven wickets in a fine bowling performance that never allowed any Hawridge batsman to really get going. But unfortunately no Ley Hill player got going either, and the innings quickly subsided after early twenties from Lown and Shakoor. O’Neill marshalled the tail with a sensible 26 not out towards the end, but the target was always just out of reach, and the game ended with a run-out in the 38th over that left the team 29 runs short.

Hawridge: 170 for 8 (O’Neill 4 for 39, Thompson 3 for 10)
Ley Hill: 143 all out (Lown 29, O’Neill 26*, Shakoor 23)
Ley Hill lost by 27 runs

Man of the match: Liam O’Neill for a stirring all-round performance
Clown of the match: Hawridge wicket-keeper, for low-grade sledging despite having no talent
 

Click here for the scorecard