Yellowhammers

SM vs YH

Every year this match somehow produces the goods for a competitive and friendly game, this year was no exception. With the age of the side spanning five decades from 14 to 66 it was great to see everyone get involved. Both sides had 12 to covid but no one got struck down so we batted 11 and played with 12 each, worked brilliantly.

The Martlets captain won the toss and elected to bat, which his team were delighted by as it was a scorcher of a day! David Twine opened the batting for the fifth year running in an attempt to notch up a ton, which he duly did in style, scoring 104 off 110 balls. Supported by Sam Carter (41) the Martlets were in a strong position at lunch just 2 down for 126 with Jack Mynott scoring 14.

After lunch the push was on to declare. After 52 overs the declaration came with Tim Mynott 31* and a brisk 43 off 20 balls at the death from the manager to post 266 for 8.

In reply, the David Twine show continued as he opened the bowling and took 2 for 4 off 4! The YH middle order pushed on but wickets then fell again with the impressive Matthew Barham taking wickets. Mark Trubshaw and Matt bowled a very tidy spell to the start of the last twenty overs with Mark taking a handy and deserved wicket as well. The YH lower order, who could have clearly batted in the top order, came in and pushed the score along on a typical Tonbridge wicket with a short boundary one side. Two fourteen-year-olds in Felix Horsham-Holt and Matthew Ritchie bowled really well in their respective spells against high quality players. As the YHs then pushed for the win, Jack Mynott came on to bowl with Matt. They both bowled really well as the YHs got ahead of the rate but only three wickets in hand. A. Moen’s 72 and Ed Hyde’s (captain) 25* proved pivotal into getting the score down to less than a run a ball. However, in this match the game is never dead (310 tied game a few years ago!) and this was to prove the case again. Tight bowling and good fielding meant wickets fell with Matt finishing with 4 for 82 off 15. Jack had the final over and had to defend 6 runs but the YHs were 9 down. A couple of singles before Ed hit a full toss straight down deep square leg, the ground went quiet, the ball was straight out of the low sun and could barely be seen, it hit a hand but burst through for four and a YH win. An amazing game with just three balls to spare! Great company, friends, cricket, weather and sunset. Till next year.