Goold's team 10 strike Gold in East London -Hatrick for Fensom
Saturday 15 June - away to South Loughton -
Jessica Ennis would surely not have run in this weather in which LHCC completed their trilogy of league victories, so far, incorporating a hatrick from the impressive Fensom.
Travelling to the South Loughton CC pavilion, complete with hastily repaired roof cladding from a local burglary ,the much changed and multi-layered LHCC squad of 10 men began their 45 over innings against the weather and South Loughton. Despite the early loss of Captain Goold in squally stop-start conditions Hallingbury formed a good enough platform Rowley(21) Phipps (44)when heavy rain brought a prolonged stoppage at 3.48 pm and 95-4 with Sunny and Turner .O adding 10 between them. T his heralded an early tea : adequate, plenty of Kipling pre-packs and no mustard for the apt mini-pasties unfortunately cold.
After tea the innings resumed now in a decided 28 over format. This produced a great knock from White (33) including 2 sixes and plenty of support from Ishfaq (21 no) although no Olympic style running between the wickets. Combined with more lusty blows from Raj and 36 extras in the wet conditions Hallingbury ended 173-7 a creditable target to defend from the allotted 28 overs.
After a long squeegey session and 55 minute drying time, South Loughton began their innings well at 5.55 pm . At 6.2 per over the intrepid LHCC 10 had to field sharply. The South Loughton Little and Large show drove impressively from the opening attack getting used to the firm but soaken track -it was looking good for them, until the dangerous looking opener ,who had driven early back from Southampton to play, drove back early to White who took his own low sharp chance well. White also got the reliable Rahman at square leg with the aid of O.Turner, aka O Juggler. Then a clever bowling switch to the slower Sunny thwarted South Loughton Henman's -the remaining Large- powerful driving. However the incoming Bolt, belying his name and eschewing fast singles with Henman , began meting out damage to Hallingbury .Turner taking particular punishment for 3-28-0.
The run rate now achievable at 106-2 off 18, another intelligent bowling change brought Ishfaq (6-2-5) to account for both big hitters with the safe hands of Goold and Sunny. The best was yet to come. Fensom returning for another short spell of 3 overs ripped out the remaining middle order with a quality hatrick: Rumble caught well at square leg, Goold again at mid-on, and lastly the captain bowled with a degree of played on. This was Fensom's second captain's scalp in consecutive weeks, and he also finished with 4 from 6 overs flattening the middle wicket of number 9 to extinguish any lingering Loughton hopes. The home side mustered 131-9 in their 28 over with extras 22, and the evergreen Raj picking up another with Turner handling well at point.
Ishfaq and Raj displayed cultural gentlemanly restraint when bowling at the literal and metaphorical Kiwi ,Rachel Singleton who finished not out, and the game ended at 8.30 pm in good spirits, 14 c, and clearing skies.
A quality win for Hallingbury . Nazeing Common next up. Well done.