Willoughby VS Thrapston CC

Willoughby's first X1 welcomed Thrapston to the Green, the Jubilee flag was flying high and the team energy was high. Local rain managed to get us and delayed the start which meant the game was reduced to 43 overs per side. Skipper Ben Hollis lost the toss and was stuck into bat. Scott Cluley and Callum Hanks got things going, Cluley scored 10 before chipping one up to Mid on in the third over. Rayner steadied the ship and made 9 before playing on. Hassan Nawaz looked solid as ever and looked to score runs, he dispatched one full toss for "twelve" in the next field over square leg which was a super big shot, sadly came up short by 1 run and was bowled for 49. Young Ambrose " Smith " Deery made a well made 22 resisted the big shots off there spinner before being caught by a good catch low down at square leg. Tom Stevenson, Chait Kurusala, Mark Fell, Ben Hollis, Matt Goss, and Graham Hallam all added to the score and Willoughby finished on 198-9 off 43 overs. Hollis thought anything above 180 was a good score especially in the over cast conditions and the slight early loss of wickets.

Willoughby took to the field knowing early wickets was going to be key. Well what happened was next was something special, the field was set and the lads noisy as ever backing the bowler. Callum Hanks steamed in with his first ball, O Bennett snicked off and Ashley Rayner with the gloves with a fine low catch, second ball Ben Mills caught plum LBW with a in swinging ball, A stoker was next in and had to deal with hattrick ball and the fear of going 3 down inside in the first over, unfortunately the hattrick wasn't meant to be but 2-2 off the first over. Mark Fell had the honours of the new ball also and bowled a superb line and length once again. Hanks followed up this first over with a maiden and then this third over only conceding 2 runs. Hanks into to his fourth over and once again produced the goods with a double wicket maiden, James Loader Thrapston's other opener this time being cleaned bowled middle stump. This brought Thrapston's captain Braedon Bettles to the middle scratching his head wondering what is going on , he lasted 2 balls as he went for a big cover drive and snicking one into the slips like a rocket head height into Hollis hands. Fell was also in on the act in his sixth over and picked up one wicket himself 1-21 off his ten overs. Hanks finished his 8 over spell on 5-9, what a unbelievable spell of bowling. Thrapston were 24-6 at drinks. Willoughby's energy was high and their tails were wagging, Hollis was brought into the attack after drinks and targeted the stumps and didn't have much luck in this first few overs with Thrapston's batsmen riding there luck edging the ball into gaps and over fielders to the boundary. Chait Kurusala bowled 4 overs and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket 0-30. Hollis finally found the gap through Harvey Walker and hit the stumps, and then also bowled Thomas Stoker middle stump after showing some fight and the only batsmen playing some positive shots. Cluley was brought into the attack and bowled some good pace and kept things tight for 4 overs 0-18. Hollis picked up another wicket in his last over finishing on 3-52 off 10. Hanks had recharged his batteries and came on to bowl his final over and got the game wrapped up with his second delivery and finished an outstanding performance with the ball 6-9 off 8.2 overs. Thrapston all out for 134 in 36 overs.

Simply a outstanding performance by everyone but hats off to Callum Hanks with his best ever figures 6-9. That is something you will remember for a very long time and something you should be extremely proud of. A big thankyou to Graham Hallam and Tom Stevenson who made their comebacks after some time away from the game, helping the club out as we was short on players this weekend.

A massive result for Willoughby beating a inform team sitting third in the league table. We go again next weekend against Rushden CC away.