Goodwood visit historic ‘Cradle of Cricket’

A bright sunny afternoon and an away fixture at historic Hambledon CC ‘the Cradle of Cricket’ saw the introduction of the Goodwood team’s new staggered arrival tactics. The Hambledon openers looked decent enough and whilst both ended up with 50s. The scoring rate was kept down by some tidy bowling from Matt de Lacy (6-0-28-0) an opening spell from James Mayne ably supported by Oscar Pitman (5-0-29-0) and Steve Dudman who this week stuck to the regulation six balls every over (5-0-19-0). It was when Stanley Mayne came on that Goodwood took their first wicket. In fact two as he bowled the opening pair in successive overs. He was the pick of the bowlers (6-032-2). Matt Bennison bowled a good spell (4-0-20-0). Graeme Bennison began to justify the mileage he travelled to play by bowling their number three in his only over (1-0-4-1). James Mayne bowled one more over and took a wicket. Hambledon ended on 177 for 5 off their 35 overs, L. Leclercq finished on 44 not out.matt and Graeme Bennison opened the batting putting on 83 for the first wicket when Graeme was out (28). Matt top scored with 63 (8 fours, 1 six). Despite losing some quick wickets Goodwood went on to win the game with Stanley finishing on not out and Heyworth on 50. Ashling batted first in this 28 over game, and a magnificent partnership between the steady Gavin Coyle (35) and the more explosive Charlie Colley (79) enabled the home team to post a very creditable 159 for 6. Steve Harvey took two early wickets, and with Lavant struggling for runs Philip Allen, a player sportingly lent to Ashling by Lavant chipped in with a further two wickets. Burford was unlucky to miss out on a half-century, falling for 46. Charlie Colley who cemented his man of the match credentials with a blistering burst of 4 for 9 to finish off Lavant - all out for 107.