Max Spackman with Dad Todd put in solid performances on Saturday Dec 10 at Dalton.
The Harden Hornets B Grade side travelled down the Hume Highway to the dead brown grass and 10 degree sloped field of the Dalton Dingoes on Saturday December 10 at Dalton. The day started badly when the Hornets took to the field with just 8 players. Two more arrived in the second over after getting suits fitted in the nation’s capital, however, this brought the number to ten which meant there was plenty of running to be had in the field. Hence, a big total was always on the cards. The pitch was laid when “Wings” McCarthy was a boy and railway sleepers were used to form the foundation. Consequently, the occasional ball would fly off the edge of a sleeper underneath. Neil Corby and Harry Morris got Dalton off to a flyer with the fifty coming up in the eighth over. This was due to good luck on the day where the ball constantly either lobbed over the fielders’ heads or landed between fielders.
The first break-through came with the introduction of Tyler Allen into the attack when Morris (19) gave a return chance. Allen continued to bowl without luck, either narrowly missing the outside edge of the bat or the ball swinging too much and missing the stumps. Jamie Cantrill was next into the action when he removed the dangerous Corby for 48 and Dowling for 15. Corby’s innings was of note considering he suffered a severely broken thumb after being hit earlier from a short delivery from Will Manwaring. However, he does bat without gloves. Nick Arney came to the crease and with big hitting, and started to take the game away from Harden, ending up with 72 not out. During this period, the only bowler to receive respect was Max Spackman. Max bowled his best spell for the club of 5 overs for 20 runs and included the prize wicket of Mick Poidevin. After 40 overs, Dalton reached 7 for 234. Dalton had some talent in their batting lineup and it showed. Wickets were hard to come by and with the field proving very fast, boundaries were the order of the day.
Tyler Allen and Will Manwaring bowled hard and fast, and were ably assisted by Marty Brown. The total of 234 runs from the 40 overs seemed to be within reach until several early wickets fell. Will Manwaring was caught one handed by the Dalton fieldsman, who injured his thumb off Will’s bowling earlier. It looked as if the thumb may have been dislocated or broken, however, plenty of skill was shown in taking it with his good hand. Rob Bunt went for 5 and Tyler Allen went for 26 after some fine hitting. Marty Brown was sent packing for 5 before a nice bowl saw Simon Squire-Wilson returned to the shade on 0. Todd Spackman steadied the ship with 28 runs before being caught and top scored for the day for Harden. Stadtmiller went for 8 before ‘The Return of The Jedi’ Jamie Cantrill took a bouncer to the chin. Shock went through the Dalton fielders before Cantrill shook it off and continued playing to reach 7 runs.
Captain Courageous Kelvin Brown hit a 6, a 4, and 2 more runs before being given out LBW, leaving Max Spackman on 3 runs. Harden were all out for 127 and well short of the total with 17 overs to spare. The year started off strongly with 5 wins, however, this was the third straight loss for the team in a row. Despite the loss, Harden still maintained its position in equal third on the ladder and will remain to fight out the B Grade premiership whilst the bottom five teams will compete for the C Grade premiership. The completion will now break for the xmas period and re-commence in mid-January.
