Hawks Feature in Comedy Night at Westbourne

25/08/22: Westbourne CC v Chidham & Hambrook CC

Westbourne 194-3 (16)

Chidham & Hambrook 105-6 (16)

Racqueteers won by 63 runs

Chidham suffered their worst defeat of the season after a comical night at Westbourne CC on Thursday evening.

Stand-in skipper John Strudwick won the toss and opted to field first in this reduced 16 over match and within five overs the home side had already amassed 65 runs. Tim Brewster finally got the wicket of Syge (37) and in the next over Matt Hill got the wicket of fellow opener Gilo (49) but the scorers and umpires were working overtime as the boundaries kept on coming. Numerous dropped catches and calamitous mis-fields, while players were dancing around the protected orchids in the outfield, cost the Hawks dear and Westbourne finally reached 194-3, with Brewster taking a late second wicket.

Chidham realistically only had a slim chance of reaching the target score, set by a strong Westbourne side featuring several league players, and their cause became a hapless one after openers Andy Wild (1) and Strudwick (5) were needlessly run out early in the innings. Tim Brewster (12) and Paul O'Donohoe (22) added some much-needed runs and Matt Rawlinson provided the comedy value when his trousers fell down mid-wicket, causing him to trip up just after his bat had reached the crease to secure one run (he was stumped out next ball). The highlight of the night, as far as the Hawks were concerned, was "Pistol" Pete Wild who romped to 50 runs not out, securing the half-century with a four from the very last ball, and gaining his highest ever score in the process.

A total mis-match on the night but at least the Hawks got the over the 100 mark, primarily thanks to the Pistol.