Sunday 14 September 2025
Stan Nicholson
Poor weather conditions with rain forecast does not go well with our game
The winners from the previous two years had reached the final of The Conference Cup for 2025, and a Clash of the Titans match was eagerly awaited.
With continuous rain forecast from around 2.30pm to 3.00pm, common sense prevailed, and a 30 overs per innings match was agreed to try and fit a completed match in. The scheduled start time of 11.00am, and a decision for a 10 minute turn-around between innings, helped with that.
Bishops Stortford CC was the venue for match that turned out to be entertaining and close .
Hornchurch won the toss, and predictably decided to bowl.
Sam Burge immediately lead an attack on the bowling, only to be out for 27 ( 6 x 4s) in the 5th over.
This bought in another known hitter ; Jake Kings, who with opener Michael Sheen took the score to 100 in the 16th over.
Sheen was out for 42 (4 x 4s) in the 20th over trying to force the run-rate, then Kings for 58 (also 4 x 4s) in the 23rd over.
It was probably at this point of their innings that East Molesey lost their way, with wickets failing too regularly, and boundaries drying-up.
Tom Cullen added some urgency to the final two overs to finish on 35* (4 x 4s)
So, East Molesey scored 199/6 in their 30 overs. A total to defend. A total to chase.
A 10 minute injury break to Hornchurch keeper Paul Murray (injury replaced), added to the time factor before rain
The start of the Hornchurch reply was a mixed bag
A 3rd over wicket maiden from Andrew Westphal saw Janie Sorrell out for just 7. Then there was a gamble to play the injured Paul Murray at no. 3.
Some productive over followed, especial off the East Molesey first change bowlers, before Jonathan Fawcett dismissed Murray with his second delivery for 13 ; 77/2 in the 12 over.
Lesbourne Edwards joined opener George Hankins, and similar to the East Molesey innings, the hundred was reached in the 17 over.
Edwards was out for 26 in the 21st over, by which time DLS was in operation.
Through-out the next few overs DLS was in Hornchurchs favour, only to be reversed when Adeel Malik was out for 12 in the 25th over.
At this stage drops of rain were falling. The urgency fell on Hornchurch. The drops of rain got more persistent. .
Hornchurch, with opener George Hankins still in, then applied the final touches.
15 runs off over no. 26, 17 off over 27, 10 off over 28, 10 over over 29 (albeit Harry Hankins was out in that over)
And that was their 200, to win the match.
I have rarely mentioned the bowlers in the above.
In reduced overs matches played on good pitches, its the batters who take all the applause.
However, the bowlers from both sides, stuck to their tasks, and performed.
If I have to be critical, then the 8 wides from the East Molesey bowlers, showed less discipline than the 2 wides from the Hornchurch bowlers.
For his 98*, Hornchurch captain, George Hankins, was judged by the umpires to be the Man-of-the Match.
Oh, a word for the umpires. Tremendous. Players, spectators, & especially this correspondent (organisor), could not have got through the day without their dedication and support.
In this match, Cricket Was The Winner !!
The full scorecard is here