Henley 4th XI’s youthful and inspiring run chase claims 5 wicket victory over Boyne Hill 4th XI at home in Nettlebed.

No Chris Ellison this week meant a fresh change in captaincy. The armband handed over to the experienced Andy Chinn, meant Henley finally had a chance at winning the toss, alas it insisted on going Boyne Hill’s way and they elected to bat first.

Opening Bowlers Jakob Albiston and Aakansh Naik had harsh starts to their spells, unable to dismiss the openers who came out charging. A couple of early chances not capitalised by Henley, allowed the opening bats to get out to a partnership of 71. Until, Harry Monahan came on to bowl the opposing captain Raghu Ramanujam for 17 off 25 deliveries.

Captain Chinn, in tangent with Monahan continued on after drinks taking 2 wickets in 3 balls directly after the break. Inspired by Chinn, Monahan decided to take a second wicket for himself, trapping the dangerous Adam Qurban halfway up middle stump, giving the umpire no choice but to give the index finger a little workout. Opening Bat, Qurban made a feisty 53 off 51 balls, including four 4’s and five 6’s.

The visitors now 87-4 needed to wrestle the momentum back their way once more. Batsmen Adam Mellor and Rajesh Singh fought back in a respectable manner before young gun Harry Ellison caused the breakthrough going BANG! BANG! Taking two wickets in two balls. Unlucky to achieve the infamous hat trick, Ellisons figures being impressive week in week out, ended with 3-24 off 4 overs.

Rosie Mills picked up a well deserved wicket, after being hit by Mellor who was starting to hit his strides. However, Albiston brought back on, with a sight fixed on cleaning up the tail, struck with his first ball of his second spell, trapping the set batsman plum LBW. Mellor finally dismissed fought hard for his 48 off 53, scoring five 4’s and three 6’s.

Crawling to a score of 200, Boyne Hill had to have their innings cut short at the 35 over mark as Chinn took his third wicket and Boyne Hill’s last. Captain Chinn leading from the front, ended with figures of 3-32 off 5.5 overs. Next up, Henley’s run chase…

A shaky start from Henley’s top 3, sent tremors down the spines of supporters. Raiph Surplice unable to get off the mark, brought out Naik early who made 19, chipping one back to the bowler. Prior to Naik’s dismissal, Albiston had all three of his stumps cleaned up. The opener making a quick fire 26 off 28, made way for Batsman Jethro Kock at 4 in the order.

At 59-3, Jethro and debutant batswoman Seren Bowles began their illustrious partnership, unknowing this would be the very key in Henley’s successful run chase. Jethro blitzing 4’s and 6’s all around the park increased Henley’s run rate exponentially. Knowing Jethro, everyone knew he was at the crease for a good time, thankfully for Henley’s lower order he was also there for a long time. Seren Bowles also did an unreal job, doing what was required, and valuing her wicket tremendously.

Henley raced their way to 172-3, with Jethro’s and Seren’s 4th wicket partnership reaching a pivotal 113 runs. Unluckily, first ball after the second drinks break, Seren smoked a cover drive down short covers throat who took an instinctive catch low at the ankles. Bowles finished with a commendable 18 off 47 who practically saw Henley through to the end of the match. New to meet Jethro who was on 91* at that point, strolled Captain Andy Chinn, looking to see the job through to the close. Unfortunately, he was dismissed the very next ball, with a dazzling delivery from opposing captain Raghu Ramanujam, and a tidy bit of glove work from Boyne Hill’s young keeper.

Heart’s stopped beating for a moment as Harry Monahan came out to face a hat trick ball. Steady hands and a good defence ensured that it was seen out, giving the strike back to Jethro for the next over and a crack at what would be a glorious ton. The consistent run rate continued to tick over towards the end, and a selfless act from Monahan facing a free hit gave the strike over once more, as Jethro sat at the other end on 97*. In classic Jethro fashion he brought up his century by cracking a six over mid wickets head. Applause and cheers flooded the ground as an exhausted Jethro struggled to take off his helmet and raise his bat high.

Quite simply a mature knock, from the vastly talented Kock.

The game was finished not long after, Monahan ended his cameo with 12* off 10 to go along with his brilliant bowling figures of 2-31 off 5 overs. Whilst, Man of the Match, Jethro Kock held his bat through to the end with an unbeaten 108* off 66 deliveries, scoring fourteen 4’s, and four 6’s.

This is now Henley’s second win against Boyne Hill this year in division 8B, and solidifies Henley’s position at 3rd on the ladder, going into week 12.