Saturday 20th April 2024

Jordan Neil takes 6-43 (including a hat trick) and finishes with 80* in a dream day for Horsford CC in the opening round of the East Anglian Premier league.

Saturday saw the return of Premier League cricket at Manor Park and boy what a game to start!

Sawston won the toss and surprisingly opted to bat first on a cold early spring day, Horsford were delighted to take the field in the opening fixture. Sawston started well reaching 60-0, after 15 overs. As collapses go (and Horsford are pretty good at them) what followed was a series of extremely unfortunate events for the away side. Beaumont was trimmed off through the gate, Claydon was adjudged LBW as was Thomason and well the rest was history. Ben Cliverd shouldered arms to a nip backer, and next thing Jordan Neil was on a hat trick. He couldn’t... could he? A perfect length and a perfect line is what followed, just outside off – nick… straight between keeper and first slip, Rogers dives to his left and takes the catch, one handed straight in. Delirium on the field, chaos in the Sawston changing room. 60-0, 72-6.

As we know early season fixtures can produce low scoring affairs and Horsford had to keep the foot on the pedal if they were to overcome the strong Sawston batting lineup. Debutant Will Bowman picked up two wickets and he was ably supported by Cam Graveling. Dan Heath and Callum Guest batted superbly for the away side, Guest (70) batted all the way through the innings, he batted maturely and very much respected the economical bowling which was on show. Sawston finished 171 all out in the 50th over, perhaps 30 or so runs below par.

Reynolds and Hornbuckle opened up in a new look batting order for the men in green. A sharp accurate spell from the Sawston debutant Ethan Rice meant that Horsford didn’t have it all there on way, losing both Reynolds and Metcalf early. 18-2 quickly became 80-2 with Hornbuckle passing 50 and being ably supported by Jordan Neil the run chase was well on its way. Once Hornbuckle was caught by a sharp catch from Heath behind the stumps, Horsford still required a further 79 for victory. Jordan Neil took centre stage and was ably supported by Will Rogers 28*, the pair ensured there would be no late drama on the opening day.

Fittingly Jordan stroked a full toss in the 47th over through extra cover to seal a big 25 points for Horsford.

As debuts go this will be right up there in the Horsford history books. Congratulations to Jordan and the Horsford boys.

A double header next week, as we travel to Witham on the Saturday and face Bishop Stortford at Home in the National 40 over competition.

PLAY CRICKET FULL SCORECARD >>

Horsford CC v Sawston & Babraham CC