You should have seen the smiles on the faces of the Harden Hornets Cricketers, when the Yass Soldier’s Club Snipers Captain won the toss and asked Harden to bat first on Saturday.
A scorching hot early February afternoon saw our local pairing of the experienced Nathan Schofield and newcomer to the A-Grade ranks Tom Foster, march out to the turf strip. Speedsters J.D. O’Brien and David Field charged in from their respective ends, and kept the scoring to a minimum, without taking a scalp initially.
Former NSW Country player Mark Garland was then introduced to the Snipers attack with almost instant success, trapping Foster LBW, but not before Harden’s opening partnership had given a reasonably good foundation of 32 runs. Following this however, 3 wickets went cheaply.
But while his troops fell around him, Nathan Schofield surged forward, compiling runs. At drinks, the Hornets were 4 wickets for 65 and considering the accurate bowling and having 23 overs left to face, were ready for all out positivity.
Local stalwart Jason Pollard trudged out to join Schofield and Yass must have expected some fireworks. However Jason, normally a pinch-hitter, was more subdued this time, mixing solid defence with the occasional boundary. He hit four lusty 4’s in compiling 29 valuable runs in a fine partnership with Schoie of 43.
Two other partnerships helped boost Harden’s run-score. And at the conclusion of the 45 over limit the Harden Hornets had a very competitive tally of 172 runs for 8 wickets.
Nathan Schofield was Harden’s Hero, carrying his bat through the entire innings, and finishing with 102 runs Not Out, including 7 fours. On reaching his Century, Nathan raised his Kahuna Kookaburra cricket bat to the crowd, which included his Mother who met him at the gate, feeling as proud as punch.
The Yass Soldier’s Snipers who are the frontrunners in the Triggs Shield this season had the job in front of them. David Field and Jason Madaliar began the chase for the visitors, to be confronted by the medium pace of Rob Scott and the speed of Billy Bolger.
Scott was electrifying and switched on from the outset. He Shocked batsman no. 2 and 3, Mudaliar and Mark Garling with 2 deliveries that rattled their stumps, and it was now 3 for 24. It was then that Ben Mudaliar helped Yass’s cause with 22 good runs. But soon the Snipers stood at 5 for 86.
Their score pressed on, due mainly to a splendid knock by opening batsman David Field, who showed a lot of class to be the final Yass batsman dismissed for 75 runs, caught off Billy Bolger by Tyler Allen who took a brilliant catch in the deep outfield. Yass Soldiers Club were all out for 143 and Harden were victorious by 33 runs.
Best bowler for our locals being Rob Scott with 3 for 20 off 9 overs. This Saturday Harden plays Yass Royal Pirates at Tim Doolan Oval Harden, their final home match this season.
