Written by Andy Bunker

On a fine and sunny afternoon up the hill, HBBHCC Sunday 2nds took to the field for the first time in 8 seasons. It is a mark of the breadth of talent and enthusiasm across our junior section that six of the eleven players were under 18. That these players were the bedrock of a comfortable victory can only bode well for the future of our club.

With so many promising young players at the club, it is a great opportunity to introduce adult cricket (a format twice the length juniors are used to) through playing friendly games; our thanks must go to Sidcup for adopting a similar approach.

Captain Ian, on winning the toss, elected to take the field knowing that he had an array of budding bowlers chomping at the bit to try their luck over 22 yards (3 of our youngest usually bowl over 19 yards). The Sidcup openers strode to the middle and made their marks with some deliberation, much to the consternation of our onlooking groundsman, who adopted the full double teapot!

Toby took the first over, finding some impressive pace ‘down the hill’. Daisy was tasked with opening from the stables end for her first bowl in adult cricket and immediately settled into her role, removing the dangerous looking Tamboli with one that nipped back to disturb the timber. Sidcup’s number 3 lasted 2 balls before Daisy rearranged his furniture with some in- swing for a double wicket maiden! Caitlin replaced Toby, also finding good pace and movement but sadly no luck.

Time for the seniors to get involved, as Stephen (aka Moriarty snr) joined the attack. After a slightly hesitant start, he settled into a good rhythm with some nice flight to pick up a wicket in his final over. Over to the other 2/3rds of the Moriarty triumvirate: Margot, bowling with good control and extremely unlucky not to pick a wicket up on 3 occasions (2 drops and a curio). Patrick took up the attack from the stables end, finding some turn with his leg breaks, eventually accounting for the Sidcup skipper with the help of a good catch from Toby. Jack, enjoying his role as senior player, took it upon himself to assert his seniority by following through to within a couple of paces of the young Sidcup batter (when he managed to stay on his feet!) and proceeded to bounce out the plucky no.7 with the help of an excellent catch from Caitlin in the deep. Will into the attack next, straight into his work with good line and length to tie up the Sidcup batters in the final overs.

Daisy returned to remove Sidcup’s top scorer (Wides excepted) finishing with excellent figures of 7-1-10-3 and Will got his rewards to polish off the tail for impressive figures of 5-1-4-3. Eight bowlers used, six of whom under 18 - great work everyone!

The team left the field to deserved applause from the Blue Bell Hill crowd, emphasising the true family atmosphere at our club.

Time for tea - yum, thank you Debs!

To open the batting for HBBH, out strode Will with Andy (aka Bunker snr) issuing strict instructions to his junior partner to find the boundary as the only other option would be gentle singles. Will duly obliged by dispatching a couple of loose leg-side deliveries with aplomb. Sadly the Sidcup opening bowler had his revenge with a fine delivery inducing a skinny edge, expertly pouched by the young keeper standing up. Will turned and walked immediately, without waiting for the umpire’s adjudication, drawing admiration from the opposition skipper.

Rich arrived at the crease looking solid only for Andy to depart soon after, bringing Patrick to the middle. With Sidcup’s senior bowlers now in operation, the scoring inevitably slowed. After a tentative start, Patrick began to play with admirable poise, working the ball around skilfully. Rich began to open his shoulders, running well to rotate the strike and get the scoreboard ticking over again. An excellent partnership of 57 between these two brought the game within HBBH’s grasp, only for Rich to fall to a fine grab by Barrack having made a solid 29 runs. Jack added a breezy 14 before missing with a sweep shot. This brought Margot to join her brother at the crease, playing authoritative shots from the start of her innings, including a glorious cover-driven boundary. The siblings took us to the brink of victory, only for Patrick to fall to another excellent snaffle down the leg-side by Quinn behind the stumps for a well made 26. Learning the game at a time when all are encouraged to take the ‘T20 option’ from ball one, it is refreshing to see a young batter build an innings with such patience and skill: 91 minutes at the crease whilst 94 runs were added - well batted!

Stephen now the third batter of the family to have a go; 6 needed, 7 overs remaining: no need to rush! Sadly, Stephen had to depart with one run still required. No problem, Caitlin dispatched her first ball to hit the winning run!

An excellent win for the youthful HBBH team, expertly lead by captain Ian, who must have felt a sense of great pride in his young charges, having watched them start their cricketing journeys under his tutelage through the club’s Belly Tots programme.

With congratulations and handshakes complete, it just remained for the team to complete their cricketing tasks for the day by reeling in the boundary rope. With some welcome help from supporters this was completed with a minimum of fuss: setting an example for our adult teams to observe (ahem!)

A wonderful family day at the club, participants and spectators alike. With more fixtures for the ‘Sunday Seconds’ scheduled through the rest of the season, this correspondent is looking forward to watching further development of our young stars on either side of the boundary rope.