Pinkneys Green annihilate local rivals in Village Cup

The day of the Village cup regional quarter-final dawned cool and overcast with a hint of rain and eager anticipation in the air as the visitors to the green were local rivals Hurley CC. With the 2 sides meeting in the league later in the season for the first time in almost 20 years Hurley were no doubt keen to make a good impression on the hosts but were unfortunately blown away on the day by a number of magnificent individual performances in the PGCC team.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first skipper Suprej and Curly walked out to the wicket to begin proceedings against the new ball. With both batsmen in good nick Mike Elliott, padded up and due in at #3, was expecting a bit of a wait before his chance came, just how long a wait remained to be seen as Suprej and Curly flayed the bowling to all parts. Only 32 overs and a mammoth 251 runs later was Mike required, replacing the departed Curly, caught behind for a chanceless 109. With Suprej bringing up his second ton in 2 days a short while later a truly massive total for PGCC was on the cards, not only was the bowling at this stage pedestrian to say the least, but enter just the right man for the occasion, Jags Dillon. Only once Suprej found himself back in the clubhouse, stumped off the bowling of Amy Allen, for a magnificent 122 runs including 10 boundaries and 6 maximums, did the fireworks really start! Jags was soon batting like an IPL highlights package, hitting the ball further and further with each six and making the openers look rather pedestrian in the process! Sharing in a succession of rapid partnerships with Mike, Isuru and Amit Jags finally ended up on 78no off not many deliveries, including 9 fours and 5 sixes. A thoroughly demoralised Hurley breathed a collective sigh of relief, the carnage was over. For the time being at least..

Hurley require 372 to win at over 9 runs per over.

Let’s forget about the cricket for the time being and focus on the fabulous tea, in particular the Victoria sponge which was lovingly made by wifey the evening before. With a hint of vanilla running through it, and just the right amount of cream and raspberry jam it was a moist and delicious treat for the senses. More next week please...

With the weather closing in and 20 overs needing to be complete to ensure a replay is not needed should it rain PGCC opened with a mixture of experience and youth in Saliya and Jake Stokes. Considering Hurley needed over 9 runs per over from the off the opening bowlers were always going to go for plenty so credit must go to both Jake and Sal for bowling with good pace and accuracy. Hurley’s opening batsman D Wright threw the bat at everything and scored a few boundaries before being run out for 36 after smart work by fielder Amit and the bowler Saliya. Wickets fell at regular intervals so the game was well and truly over as a contest by the time the important 20th over was bowled, from a Hurley perspective M Walton showed grit and determination in being not out at the end of the game with 16 runs to his name.

At this stage I want to pause and spare a thought for Hurley player J Langland who experienced at absolute mare of a day.. Not only was his bowling thrashed to all parts of the ground, he then had to watch whilst a succession of hapless fielders helped ruin his bowling figures before himself becoming a victim of the outfield by taking a nasty blow to the face whilst attempting to stop another Curly rocket from disappearing into the trees. His miserable afternoon was complete when he dropped a catch and was bowled for a first ball duck! £10 fine please! Fair play to the man though, he still managed a smile after the game reflecting the good nature of the contest.

Hurley were never at the races though and eventually capitulated to 131 all out in the 27th over, the wickets being shared between Withana, Dhillon, Snapes and Diab (not Biab thank you Hurley scorer!) All in all a bit of a humiliation for Hurley - and an experience they will not want to repeat when they visit fortress green later on in Chilterns league.

Despite the individual performances from Suprej, Curly and Jags it was a good team performance once again with everyone getting involved at some point or another. Next up for Pinkneys Green is a home regional semi final against Purley-on-Thames. Come down and watch!

Lords anyone??