Hertford edge out Hall
Hertford........................................194-9
Teddy Hall.............................187 all out
Hertford won by 17 runs
On a beautifully sunny day in Marston, a brilliant century from Jack Horseley eventually proved enough for Hertford to see off a spirited challenge from Teddy Hall, despite a defiant innings from Jack Furniss taking the game to a dramatic conclusion. Batting first on a green wicket, Hertford started confidently with Horseley scoring consistently on both sides of the wicket.
However, some accurate bowling from the Teddy Hall attack, notably Miller and Ashmore, helped dry up the run rate, and wickets soon began to fall. Faiz stuck first, removing both Midgely (14) and Rahman (5), before Max Clarfelt took the first of his four wickets with Meata (4) heading back to the pavilion. Then came Hertford’s most significant partnership, with A. Iqbal (22) providing valuable support for Horseley before being run out.
Teddy Hall made quick work of the remaining Hertford batsmen as they sought to increase the run rate, with the expensive Hogan bowling Hill for a duck, and Clarfelt dispatching both S. Iqbal (5) and Bell (1) to the pavilion. After a magnificent 111, Jack Horseley was finally caught attempting to notch up another boundary, and Clarfelt picked up his fourth and final wicket. It was a truly accomplished innings by Horseley, who was compact in defence and quick to punish anything short or wide.
With a testing 195 needed to win in 40 overs, Teddy Hall began well with Miller making 24 before being trapped lbw by Wong. A rapid 30 from Hogan provided further impetus, but his run out after a mix up with Furniss triggered a collapse. The Teddy middle order capitulated in a manner reminiscent of the England team of old, as Faiz, Jones and Buttress all fell for ducks in a matter of minutes.
But Furniss kept his head among the madness, bringing up his half century as he pulled Teddy Hall back into the match. Suddenly, requiring only three an over, Teddy Hall looked as if they might prevail. However, Furniss was running short of partners, as first Uhrin (5) and then Clarfelt (15) fell. Ashmore was sent out at number ten with instructions to block out and allow Furniss to complete a remarkable victory.
However, with Ashmore trapped LBW by Wong, Furniss was under increased pressure, needing 18 with only 1 wicket remaining. Furniss cut loose, sighting an improbable victory. It looked at one stage as if Hertford were about to throw the game away, dropping him twice, but Furniss was finally bowled by Wong for a brave 62, 8 short of the target. Hertford are to dream of a Horseleyinspired promotion, while Teddy Hall must be haunted by the spectre of relegation.
11th May 2006