Hobbs takes 5 on debut as UWMCC 3s’ promotion bid intensifies
A gorgeous Spring day at Cryfield was marked by an excellent performance from UWMCC 3s, who comfortably chased down table-topping Lincoln 1s’ paltry 161 with 7 wickets and 15 overs to spare.
Stand-in skipper Bradshaw, clearly itching for a bat given his stunning recent form at the top of the order and the nature of the batsman’s paradise Cryfield pitch, tactically lost the toss and UWMCC were made to field first.
This immediately worked to their advantage as Hutson and Davis began with a testing opening burst, reducing Lincoln to 4-1 inside the first 2 overs, a position from which they would struggle to recover. This was proven as the batsmen made hard work of their innings and continued to score at a rate of around 3 an over throughout, unable to pierce the infield for long periods as Bradshaw’s tactical nous, likened by some to the great leaders of our time, proved too much for them. Second and third change bowlers Vora and Srikanth ensured that the home team maintained a vice-like grip on proceedings, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
The bowlers’ efforts were backed up by an excellent fielding display, typified by some stunning groundwork from Haque and Barclay, particularly commendable in light of their intense suffering at the hands of hay fever throughout the day. Bradshaw, Watts, Vora and Davis all took good catches in the field, whilst Liam David’s two drops can be forgiven due to one fantastic leg-side stumping.
However, the man that surely stole the show was Connor Hobbs, who shrugged off the nerves that have crippled many a promising cricketer on debut to take 5 wickets at 8 runs a piece. A top performance from the unassuming seamer.
In bowling Lincoln out for 161 off exactly 50 overs, UWMCC were brimming with confidence going in to their innings. This did not prove to be misplaced, as David and Bradshaw got them off to an assured start, ended only when Bradshaw departed for 15, a rare failure for him this season.
Whilst Watts returned to the hutch shortly after, David continued to tick over with some calm batting and typically sharp running, eventually spooning a catch to leave for 40. It was then down to Srikanth and Sukrit – 44* and 48* respectively – to bring the team home with some ferocious, crowd-pleasing hitting over the infield, suppressing any Lincoln hopes of an unlikely victory. Three boundaries in a row from Sukrit made sure that things were finished off in some style and with plenty of overs remaining.
A vital win for UWMCC 3s as they continue their bid for promotion, one celebrated keenly by Captain Bradshaw as he eagerly anticipated the culmination of the Ladies’ cricket match on the pitch beside.