Defeat at the hands of Haddon for Midweek A side

Willoughby’s unbeaten start to the midweek league season came to a halt on Wednesday with a Rugby and District Cricket League (RDCL) Division 2 defeat away at Haddon CC.

Played at Guilsborough, the signs looked promising for Willoughby A as they had the hosts in early trouble at 10 for 3 inside the opening overs, Hassan Nawawz snaffling a catch off the bowling of Mark Fell either side of two run outs.

However remaining opener Richard Whorton was then joined by another experienced head in Richard Hardwick and together the two negotiated the opening dramas before building what turned out to be an unbeaten partnership of 135. The anticipated acceleration in the latter overs taking the hosts to 145 for 3 off their allotted 18 overs.

On paper a par score for Willoughby to chase and they started fairly positively with Ceri Roberts finding the boundary on a number of occasions early on. However, the change of bowling by Haddon proved effective and decisive as Ed Smith took out Robert’s fellow opener Scott Cluley for the first of his three wickets (3 for 20) which together with Sean O’Neil-Kerr taking 2 for 16 from the other end – including the wicket of Roberts for 34 – put the hosts well in control.

There was a brief counter attack, Nawaz with 18 until he lost his wicket – and bat in the process – before Justin Hanks hit an unbeaten 30, brother Callum making a quick-fire 11 in the closing overs. But by this time the hosts had the managed and points secured, closing down victory by 21 runs.

Next up for Willoughby A, a second round RDCL KO Cup tie next Wednesday (26th May) and a visit across Rugby to face Division 1 side Newbold-on-Avon A.