Hurlingham Club

Sussex Martlets vs Hurlingham Match Report

On Thursday 2nd September the Martlets took on The Hurlingham Club on a overcast day at Arundel. Always an exciting game, 2021 did not disappoint.

With Captain Alexander Bushell losing the toss, the Martlets were asked to bat on a typically flat Arundel wicket. Out strode Michael Loveday and Luke Nelson to open up against a strong Hurlingham attack. Sadly early blood was drawn as Loveday received an excellent away swinging ball.

This wicket brought in Toby Pullan who certainly had a day to remember. The strong Hurlingham Club opening attack took a flurry of quick wickets at the top with Nelson, Harry Moorat, David Pugh and Joe Akers-Douglas falling in quick succession. These wickets however did not distract Pullan who powered his way to a quick-fire 50 with flowing drives through the covers. Joe O’Gorman entered and he alongside Pullan rebuilt the innings from 29 for 5 to 148 for 5 at lunch and put the Martlets into a strong position at lunch. In this time Pullan continued his excellent scoring rate and made a chance-less 100 with timed cover drives and powerful shots through mid wicket.

After a hearty lunch, the sun came out and Pullan and O’Gorman continued the Martlets rebuild until O’Gorman was run out. Out came Bushell but he too fell quickly, giving the Hurlingham’s opening bowler Ed Salt his 5th wicket. Salt Bowled with excellent control and pace and had the stumps out the ground a fair few times. Daniel James next in provided a good partnership with Pullan as they both accelerated  the score and the Martlets moved past 200. In this time Toby Pullan reached another milestone, his 150. Pullan reached his 150 with a glorious cover drive after a succession of massive sixes over the sight screen and down the hill at the bottom end. James after some powerful shots through the leg side fell and David Christmas also went fairly quickly. This brought in the Chairman, Paul Walker, who stuck around as Pullan carried on his assault on the Hurlingham Club bowlers. With the Martlets approaching 250 Walker was dismissed to a good low catch in the gully.

This left Toby Pullan undefeated on 188 not out, a truly phenomenal effort. The Martlets finished on 247 off 45 overs with Pullan scoring 188 of them at quicker than a run a ball. Pullan’s innings must go down as one of the great Martlets innings, his flowing drives and powerful shots down the ground made it an excellent watch for all dedicated Arundel spectators.

        After a quick turnaround the Martlets came out to bowl with Bushell and James taking the new ball. Both bowled with control, on a wicket which favoured the batsmen. Bushell and James however continued to build the pressure with Bushell hitting a hard length and James bowling in swingers with great control. Consistent hard work brought a breakthrough in the last over before tea as Bushell dismissed the opposition captain who fell to a good catch by Luke Nelson at Mid Off.

After tea Bushell picked up the 2nd wicket, bowling their number 3 and leaving the Hurlingham Club 39 for 2. O’Gorman and Christmas then took over from the openers and both continued to build the the pressure. O’Gorman with some crafty left arm spin and Christmas with away swingers. Both kept it tight but the Hurlingham Club batsmen built a steady partnership and Richard Cripps and Alex Andjel passed 50.

Looking for answers, who else could the Captain turn to but the Chairman to start the final 20 overs. Execution was instantaneous as Mr Chairman dismissed Cripps for a well made 70 with his very first ball. The introduction of Walker changed the game for the Martlets as he then picked up the other dug in batsman, who was caught on the boundary with a great diving catch by O’Gorman. Alongside Walker, Toby Pullan after a short rest picked up two quick wickets to leave the Hurlingham Club at 161 for 6 and the Martlets on top and pushing for the win.

Both Walker and Pullan continued to build the pressure and Walker picked up his 3rd trapping their number 8 LBW after he had played a questionable reverse sweep. With 10 overs to go the Martlets needed 3 wickets and were certainly on the attack surrounding the batsmen baying for blood. Pullan and Walker tried everything they could and Bushell came back for the final 2 overs but the Martlets were unable to pick up the final 3 wickets and the game finished as a draw with the Hurlingham 204 for 7 off 44.

The Martlets bowled with great control and fought all the way to the end and deserved a winning draw. In particular the fielding was excellent throughout the Martlets innings and Daniel James and Luke Nelson fought on through injuries to give their all. It was an excellent day all round and the game was played in great spirit. There was some high quality cricket on show to entertain the impressive Arundel crowd, including the President Brian O’Gorman and John Bushell, both willing on their grandsons.

However the final word must go to Toby Pullan for his superb batting performance. Arundel has seen many a fantastic Martlets performance, but I think anyone would be hard pressed to point to a more outstanding innings.

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