Glossop Vets vs Hare and Hounds - 6th August 2024

Scorecard - https://play-cricket.com/website/results/6641717

“To achieve great things, you first have to believe it” Arsene Wenger 

As Glossop vets continued their march towards an unbeaten season……..Hare and Hounds, their toughest test to date came to North Road in the hope they could derail this juggernaut of a team. Glossop were largely unchanged but welcomed Dave Allen and Dave Wilder into the starting 11 for their Vets debuts. The sun was shining, the wicket looked quick and the fans were gathered in expectation. Hare and Hounds were a little short so 2 of Glossop’s brightest young prospects, Olly Boothroyd and Joseph Bolton, took the call and turned out for the Hare. Glossop lost the toss and were put into Bowl. 

Tim Halpin and Richard Marsden were again thrown the new ball and put the pressure straight onto the Hare batsmen with good line and length supported by good fielding. The pair restricted the Hare to only 13 runs off the first 4 overs and it was Marsden who made the breakthrough with a fuller delivery that slid under the openers bat and clattered into the stumps, his 4th bowled victim in his last 2 games. Dave Wilde and Sam Alder were up next and kept the pressure on. Their mix of pace and arrowing deliveries really unsettled the batsmen, causing abit of panic. Rob Sonzcak, feeling the pressure, slashed at a Dave Wilde delivery sending it at pace towards point where Steve Kirkham was waiting, a diving 1 handed effort high to his left stopped a certain boundary but unfortunately was unable to hold on to what would have been catch of the season.

The Hare were moving along at around 5 an over, and after recent tight games against the Hare, Glossop wouldn’t want this to increase. Dave Allen and Steve Kirkham were on next. Allen keeping it tight at his end, well supported by Kirkham who has really found his length in recent weeks. Sonzcak was on 24 and looking dangerous, Glossop didn’t want him coming back in but he was undone with a full length delivery by Kirkham, who beat the bat and took out middle stump. The danger man was gone. Colin Taylor and Steve Marsh bowled the next 4 and only went for 12 collectively, Marsh rolling back the years with some diving fielding off his own bowling to finish with figures of 2 overs for 5 runs. Glossop’s fielding had been superb, complemented by Andy Wilde behind the stumps who had his best game with the gloves.

Phil Hagerty and Paul Edgar were tasked with trying to keep the Hare under 110 runs. Both showing good pace, the Hare middle order struggled to get the ball away, when they did they both claimed a wicket. Hagerty first, taking a looping catch off his own bowling and then Edgar, caught by Dave Wilde at long off. There was still time for 1 last wicket off Edgars bowling. The Hare went for a quick single but Marsden pounced on the loose ball, quick hands got the ball to Edgar at the stumps who took the bails. Hare and Hounds were done and posted 109-5. 

Glossop were dealt an early blow with opener, Hagerty, suffering with a bad back and not able to take the field. Taylor was promoted to open with Marsh and took to the crease. The Hare opened with Boothroyd and Bolton, Glossop’s under 15 starlets and both bowlers showed excellent composure and bowled superbly well. Taylor and Marsh were in all kinds of trouble and scoring was slow. Boothroyd then produced an absolute beauty to Marsh, out swinging at pace that Marsh nicked off to wicketkeeper.

Halpin came in at 3, scoring remained slow as both batsmen struggled to get the ball away but were still getting a few singles to keep the scoreboard ticking. Eventually both Taylor and Halpin got use to the pitch and started hitting a few boundaries, the most impressive was a massive 6 by Halpin who continues his impressive form with the bat. Halpin eventually retired on 27 off 25 balls and Taylor retired on 26 off 28. Glossop were looking comfortable, but the quick wickets of Marsden and Edgar caused abit of unrest and the Hare thought they had a chance now they were into the Lower Middle Order.

Andy Wilde and Steve Kirkham were at the crease, A few quick singles got Glossop back on track before Wilde started to use his power and smashed a few boundaries. Not to be out done Kirkham played a lovely sweep to the boundary for 4 and the Hare were up against it. Wilde continued to hit out and with 3 overs to go Wilde and Kirkham took a quick single and Glossop’s winning streak continued. Wilde finished with 23 not out off 18 and Kirkham with 8 from 8. 

Great effort from both teams and great game played in the right spirit. 

Man of the Match

A great team performance but 2 performances really stood out. Firstly Steve Kirkham, found his bowling length and claimed his first wicket for figures of 1 for 9, also great in the field, loads of energy and at the crease when winning runs hit.

Secondly, Andy Wilde. Best performance behind the stumps of date and played the innings we’ve all been waiting for showing power and class. Well done lads. 

Glossop currently have 1 game left against Mottram in a few weeks, if they win they end the season unbeaten. 

Up the Vets 🏏🍺