April 22nd Home v Hatfield Crusaders

9 Man Therfield beat Hatfield Crusaders by 25 runs in the early season friendly.

Batting first Paul Miller and Matt Graham started the new season
carefully assessing the conditions and acclimatizing themselves for
what is to  hopefully be a very successful season for both teams. It
did not take long for Miller to unfearl his usual array of shots as both
openers calmly built there way to 65 without loss after 13 overs
Graham was then adjudged lbw for 15, but Miller continued on his
way, as King fell for 11 at the other end, until a lapse of concentration
caused Miller to hit a full toss to mid off for a good 48. In difficult
batting conditions Therfield and Royston struggled to make the most
of their good start, only Ben Warren striking a unique 17 put up
prolonged resistance. Therfield and Royston ended on 140 all out,
Jacobs and Cooper both taking 3 for 21 for the visitors.

Crusaders then made a confident start Singh smashing 24 quick runs.
Therfield and Royston quickly pulled themselves up from the dirt to
take 4 quick wickets, two apiece for Morris and King (2-28) as the ball
began swing and seam like it had earlier in the day. At 40 for 4, Matt
Graham (3-2) produced a display of control and flight to take 3 wickets
in 3 runless overs, bamboozling Crusaders into a difficult position at
51 for 7. Ben Warren (1-21) and Whitby (1-14) also bowled well to
take a wicket each before a counter attack from Crusaders’ tailenders
Cooper (20*) and Jewell (17) took Crusaders to within 25 runs of the
win. However, Morris (3-23) was brought back on to uproot the
stumps and end the game in favour of the nine man Therfield and
Royston side.  Both sideslook forward to what they can do with 11
men, Therfield and Royston starting their Sunday league campaign