Hatfield Peverel CC.

Report vs Hatfield Peverel CC

Match Report
Date 21/06/26 
Oppo Hatfield Peverel CC (a)
Type 40 overs
Report by Al 'faster than I was last year, but still slower than Timmy The Tortoise' Syrett

Yesterday, June 21st 2026, saw one of the finest sporting confrontations to have ever taken place and to be broadcast live to the world via the wonders 
of modern technology. Two teams of warriors, fighting with everything they had in the gruelling heat, giving all in a titanic struggle for glory. From 
the heroic youngsters fighting for the right to wear the shirt, to the wily veterans, wrenching one last drop of energy from tiring limbs and aching 
muscles, these sporting heroes fought tirelessly, perhaps aware, in the back of their minds, that even before the curtain was finally drawn on this 
battle-for-the-ages, their names were being etched, in golden Copperplate filigree, onto the eternal Honours Board of sporting History. But that was 
Cape Verde V Uruguay. Earlier, the LOSCC lost to Hatfield Peverel.

Yes, it was hot in this part of Essex, which is not the same part of Essex that the other Hatfield we play is in, or the bit of Hertfordshire that the 
other Hatfield that we don’t play is in. However it was the latter of these Hatfields that was geographically closest as Kass Malik and Al Syrett headed 
off on a “short detour” to deliver some urgently needed pants to a Primark in Waltham Abbey. Don't ask! 

That, along with a couple of RTA’s and diversions, meant we were slightly late to arrive at this lovely little ground in what is now probably my 
favourite of all the Hatfields.

Jack B-M (late to arrive) skippered again, relying on vice captain Andy Hudson to win the toss for a change and electing to bat for a change. Good knocks
at a reasonable lick from the top order of Barot (23 off 30), ABM (39 off 45), Andy Hudson (24 off 39) and Paul Elba (24 off 32) got us off to a decent 
start, with some good acceleration provided by Kass Malik with 41 off 30. The tail struggled to give the big finish the innings needed, with another 
calamitous run-out of the hapless Syrett providing yet more grist to the mill of hilarity that surrounds this inexplicably mirth-inducing, albeit 
predictably regular, spectacle. Ultimately the general feeling was that we were 30-odd short of what we needed and of what we could and should have got. 

However, ending up with a very decent 250 off of the full 40, we settled down to a splendid tea.

As the heat grew and the breeze dropped we headed out again, Sandeep bagsy-ing the cushty spot in the shade, under the tree, by the allotments. He 
somehow seemed to loiter here for the entire innings, despite end-changes, left-handers and field manoeuvrings. At one point he did pop out to gather 
and return a ball, emerging briefly from the darkness, before darting back into his cool shady haven like some cricketing Nosferatu.

Our early bowling was just about “meh”, with Syrett going for 33 off his 5 and JBM going for 60 off his 8, although three of these were on his return 
later in the game. Neither able to get the much needed breakthrough with the unnessarcarilly pink new ball. Good spells by Kaas (2 for 33 off 8) and Big 
John Hayes (0 for 35 of 8) kept  us in with a shout but some good batting along with some  unfortunate (aka bad) drops and less than immaculate (aka shit) 
ground-fielding meant they got there with 4 balls to spare. Controversy was avoided when we graciously accepted that a ball hitting any part of the tree 
would be a six, despite not having been informed of this previously, a potential match-winning moment in the penultimate over when they still needed 12. 
In truth they were a strong side with good batters and on a home pitch with a short boundary and a lightning fast outfield, we did extremely well to take 
the game as far as we did. Heads high and all that.

Thanks to our hosts for the Hospitality and the teas.

Onwards and Upwards

Next fixture Sunday 28th June V Matching Green

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© Dave Revell