Refreshers v Hampshire Hogs

10 June 2023

Under a blazing hot sky we met the Hampshire Hogs at Warnford for the fourth time. It has proved an enjoyable and competitive fixture; the tally to that moment was 2 to the Hogs, 1 to the Refreshers. We arrived with a strong batting line up and high hopes, but their bowling unit was equally impressive and having won the toss and chosen to bat we quickly found ourselves 0-2. Not often that Jon Willatt and Leo Buscombe miss straight balls in their first over. The ship was steadied by Sachin (53) and new recruit Oscar Birnie (39), who put on 99 together until separated by some persistent quick bowling from the Hogs. A further flurry of wickets threatened a disappointing total but Cannon (44), Tatton-Brown (21) and a succession of starts dragged the total beyond 200. Our total of 216 all out nonetheless looked light against a youngish opposition playing on their home ground on an excellent track that settled down as the day went on.

And so it proved. Leo Buscombe gave early hope, taking the first three Hogs wickets, including a spectacular caught and bowled – only surpassed by an incredible diving effort from Oscar Birnie at mid off to account for their ‘gun’ opener, who had raced to 56 off just 45 balls.  At tea they were 120 for 4 with Cannon bowling reasonably well and causing problems from the bottom end; the game seemed evenly balanced at that stage. Unfortunately for us their number 5, Fraser (senior), settled in and played a characteristically savvy innings, punishing the bad ball and defending the good ones, until the winning post was in sight. The Hogs surpassed the Refreshers’ total with six wickets down, to bring to an end another absorbing contest played in magnificent surroundings. Buscombe finished with 4-31 off his 12, an outstanding effort.

Refreshers:

Leo Buscombe, Jon Willatt, Sachin Thushyanthan, Oscar Birnie, Joe Cuthbert, Rob Tatton-Brown, Joe Cannon*, Richard Jory, Akhtar Ahmad+, Rachel Godschalk, Hugh Sutton