Hucknall Cricket Club record comfortable victory over Plumtree

Hucknall Cricket Club claimed their second victory of the season with a comfortable six wicket home victory over Plumtree last Saturday (14 May).

After restricting their opponents to 214-8 from the 50 overs, Hucknall chased down the target for the loss of just four wickets with more than 16 overs remaining.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, Hucknall captain Sam Johnson said: "They were missing a few key players for various reasons. I look objectively at how we did and what our processes were like and to a man I thought we were excellent. It was a really good display throughout the 80 odd overs that we played, we were brilliant and thoroughly deserving of the victory."

It was the visitors who won the toss and elected to bat first in warm, sunny conditions.

A decent start saw Plumtree in a promising position on 100-2 after 26 overs, led by Qundeel Haider (47). However, a string of quick wickets put Hucknall in control and reduced the visitors to 118-6.

Oliver Ward's unbeaten 50 helped guide Plumtree past 200 and set Hucknall a respectable target to chase.

George Blatherwick (3-38) was the pick of Hucknall's bowlers striking three times in the space of two overs to rip through the top order, including removing the increasingly influential Haider.

Johnson said of his performance: "George Blatherwick deserves a special mention really. As a young spinner who spins it as much as he does, it has initially been a tough period for him to get used to bowling on a slightly different ground in terms of dimensions than he was previously used to. But I think this year thus far we're seeing the fruits of his labour, he bowled fantastically each game and he was wonderful on Saturday, he was really good. He made things happen, he took a really good caught and bowled, and he was the pick of the bowlers."

Hucknall's chase was convincing with Mathew Roberts (81) starring with the bat and being involved in three notable partnerships, two of which fell just short of being worth 50 runs.

"He was fantastic. He's been threatening to do it since the start of the season really, he's come in and looked a really good player with bat, ball and in the field. He was great, he was ruthless on the bad ball, he scampered between the wickets, and he really put the opposition under pressure which for a number three at this level is a really strong attribute to have," said Johnson.

When Roberts was dismissed caught and bowled by Haider, it reduced Hucknall to 144-4 and gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.

However, a composed unbeaten 76 run partnership put on by Johnson (37 not out) and Nolan Benson (46 not out) ensured Hucknall reached their target.

Johnson added: "The lads up the top had done the hard work in terms of getting ahead of the rate. And it meant to be honest I could drop anchor and just look to rotate the strike and Nolan could get some time in the middle and play his way because he's a very attacking, dangerous batsman.

"There was a sense of just making sure we were careful but equally I knew at that stage where we needed 60 to win, I knew if I faced 30 balls, I'd probably score 30 runs and we had more than enough to make it comfortable and I'm glad we did. The scoreboard the way it was, was a reflection of the game."

Next up for Hucknall is a trip to the Goosedale Sports Club this Saturday (21 May) to play Notts & Arnold Amateur CC in their fifth league match of the season.