HCC vs Marcmont 2s, 18th May 2024, Cavalry Park.
Match Sponsor - Tyneside Tavern, Haddington
HCC returned to winning ways with victory by six wickets away at fellow Div 3 stalwarts and perennial challengers, Marchmont. The 42s won the toss and had first go on the Cavalry Park turf, and arguably had the batting conditions before the haar rolled in later on. But despite some typically miserly probing bowling from Prakash and Clayton to restrict Haddington’s reply to 14-3, the home side had shown a lack of intent for too long with the willow and 128 looked well short - and 28 of those from the extras column.
That summary may be a diservice to a terrific fielding performance from HCC, effecting three run outs and close to more as skipper Jeffreys and the middle order were bogged down. This followed a fascinating opening encounter between star batter Ramachandra and Arbuthnott. Buff Dave’s left arm sling shots have been an occasional change-up option for the club, but is now firmly establishing himself as a front line bowler. With the new pink ball, he was at times unplayable. Ramachandra struck some stunning blows - in particular a dancing drive over long off - but was undone by a snorter that Jimmy Shaw did well to snaffle behind the stumps.
Nikhil Kadyan and Rob Hiley gave nothing away despite Sachdeva’s attempts at some lusty swings. Skipper Macdonald returned to clean up, with 3fer.
The reply started brightly enough with Scotty Logan and Alan Cruickshank timing and running well, but three wickets went down for no additions on 14 when Clayton and Prakash invoked false shots, before Cardwell-Moore saw the umpire’s erect digit after not convincing the impartial official that his gestures were those of a man playing a shot when ball thumped pad.
Blades survived a very close appeal first ball which is still echoing off the concrete ramparts some weeks later. Thereafter his intent resulted in few runs, but a partnership of 40 was enough to get Kadyan going against the spinners. Blades cut to slip for 11. At 54-4 it was anyone’s game. But Hiley had other ideas and timed it gloriously from ball one. He ended 36 not out, the pick of his shots a four down the ground which never left the carpet - no mean feat on the Duddingston thick shagpile. Kadyan was immaculate too. Calculated lofted shots kept the score ticking and despite a testing spell from Lucy Binsted, his second half century of the season (59no) got the Goats home with 3.1 overs and batting to spare.
POTM - Nikhil Kadyan, 59no, 8 overs 0-10
Opposition POTM - B Connor 22no, 1-23