Anthony Statham Bowling with Richard Hutchings - the Keeper

Hinckley Town travelled to Kibworth last Saturday in a vital game, where they needed to take some decent points from the game following 3 successive defeats. Kibworth posted a score of 241 for 6 in their 50 overs, with Hinckley scoring 184 for 8 in their reply to obtain a losing draw. The proceedings started with Kibworth winning the toss and electing to bat. The bowlers made an encouraging start and took 3 early wickets. It was the opening bowling pair of Ross Clarke and Anthony Statham doing the damage – Statham taking 2 wickets and the other falling to Clarke. This meant that of Kibworth's first four batters – 3 of them were dismissed, with them making scores of 11 or less. The early casualties included Josh Cobb, Kibworth's nominated county player. The partnership for Kibworth's 4th wicket however reaped huge dividends to the home side with Fabian Taylor and in particular, Dipesh Patel building a much more solid base. Patel passed his 50 with little trouble and Kibworth's score rattled past 100. They were assisted by the bowlers, who in total leaked 53 extras in the entire innings, with 37 of these runs being attributable to wides. Darren Shaw came on to bowl and broke the 4th wicket partnership following taking a great catch off his own bowling to dismiss Taylor for 37. Taylor's 37 was made off a fairly pedestrian 95 balls, but he had ensured Kibworth had kept wickets in hand and at the other end, Patel was scoring at a much brisker rate. Clarke and Statham then came back towards the end of Kibworth's innings and they both took a wicket apiece. Clarke had Mason caught behind for 5 and Renshaw was caught by Peel off Statham's bowling for 21. However, they were unable to prevent Patel from making his century and he went on to make a brilliant 103 not out from only 112 balls. This all meant that Kibworth finished on 241 for 6 for their 50 overs. So, Hinckley had let Kibworth off the hook somewhat following their 3 early wickets. Statham was the best of the bowlers, posting useful figures of 3 for 54 from his 11 overs.

So Hinckley needed 242 to win and the away side had their county player, Matt Boyce available for the first time this season and were looking to him to provide them with some useful runs at the top of the order. Boyce opened the batting with Hutchings; however, Leicestershire's opening batsman did not last long at all and was given out LBW for a golden duck. Hutchings was also out for a duck and Hinckley now needed a change in emphasis following the loss of these 2 early wickets. They looked to Matt Craven and Darren Shaw to give them some stability and Craven stayed around for a while, but a few overs later, he was also out caught behind off the bowling of Dan Broughton. At the other end, Shaw was playing nicely and was starting to bludgeon some runs. However, he needed some decent support and the other batters were unable to provide this – Clarke and Mike Scully were both out for 10, with Scully being one of 2 run outs – the other was Josh Peel for 9. So, Hinckley were now 6 wickets down and looking to Shaw to hold his own and try and post a decent partnership with one of the lower order. Shaw passed his half century but lost another partner – Callum Wilson for 4, who was out caught by off the bowling of Mason. Statham was the ninth man in and he battled hard and along with Shaw, they ensured Hinckley passed 150. It was now looking increasingly unlikely that the team would win the game, but they could still make a respectable draw. Shaw was eventually out for a well made 73 from 115 balls – he was Ghuman's second victim. It was then left to Statham and Andy Rowley to defend, which they did so stoutly enough and earn a losing draw. They eventually finished on 184 for 8, with Statham finishing unbeaten on 20 from a resolute 58 balls. Kibworth's bowling was solid enough, however, it must be said that they also amassed a number of extras, with them conceding 39 runs in total.