Harden Hornet’s A-Grade Cricket Team began the 2014-15 Season in the Yass Association Triggs Shield Competition, battling to form a competitive team. Last week they finally rounded up a better looking outfit.
Tim Doolan Oval was the venue for the fifth match this season against newcomers Boorowa. Harden’s luck began to change from the outset, when Captain Matt Schofield won the toss and batted in quite hot conditions. Harden regular Opening Batsman Kai Steele was joined by rising star Martin Brown, at the crease. Martin was playing his first game in A-grade, and is now officially a young Hornet.
Their initial start was at a snail’s pace, with just 3 runs taken off the first 6 overs. Boorowa bowlers were very economical, namely Murray Armour and Nick Dwyer. It was in the back of the Hornet’s minds to form a solid foundation and maybe an onslaught later on. Steel was first to depart caught out for 12. And when Brown went in similar fashion soon after, the openers had contributed 25 runs.
Skipper Matty Schofield steadied the ship with a stylish addition of 25 before he played at and snicked a delivery from Luke Hewitt to be caught at the wicket. Tyler Allen suffered exactly the same fate, but not before adding 17 runs to our locals tally.
This brought Bustling Big Benny Brady and lefthander Jason Pollard together and an air of expectation. Polly had that morning added 18 holes of Golf to his repertoire and this was to seemingly have an effect on his cricket, and his hand and eye co-ordination.
His partner Ben Brady, was the perfect foil for Polly, turning the strike over to his flamboyant mate. The pair completely demoralised all the Boorowa bowlers, but they never gave up during the action packed next hour.
When Polly skyed one and was caught out, he had belted 10 fours, and contributed 65 solid runs, in a partnership of 103 with Brady. On leaving the centre Polly, as a tribute to Phillip Hughes, remarked that he would have retired on 63 if someone had called out earlier.
With Polly’s exit, Ben Brady upped the ante towards the concluding stages, finishing on 53 not-out. Andrew Jones then sparked into action with a his flashing bat, concluding Harden’s innings with 40 quick fire runs, and they ended up with 235 runs for just 5 wickets, and victory number one for the season.
Their figures don’t show it, but Boorowa fought tenaciously, lasting for 32 overs. Phil Coggan scored 28, Luke Hewett 24, Sean Dwyer 28, Chris Dwyer 22, for a total of 113 runs. Best bowler for Harden Hornets was Martin Brown with 4 wickets for 29 off 7 overs, Rob Scott and Matt Schofield captured 2 scalps each.
WINGS
