Match Report .....
Tom Orford Trophy
Old Albanians CC
15 - 17 July 2014
Hertfordshire Stags v Free Foresters Academy
Free Foresters 363 and 392-4 declared
Herts 269 and 198
Herts were well beaten by 288 runs in the Tom Orford Trophy, their first 3 day match of the season played at Old Albanians CC. After losing the toss, Herts started well reducing the visitors to 27-3, thereafter, the Free Foresters made most of the running during the game, claiming the last Herts wicket at teatime on the last day.
Free Foresters totalled 363 all out, led by Altendorff (88), Collins (81) and Langen (63). Abishek Kulkani was the pick of the Herts bowling taking 4-47 from 17.3 overs. Two “regulation” dropped catches didn’t help Herts in the field.
At one point Herts were 130-1 in reply. Reece Hussain’s batting in the game was of high quality and his dismissal to the first ball of the second was a big blow. Five Herts batsmen scored between 20 and 35, a major reason why a first innings total of 269 was less than what was anticipated. Hussain made 85 with fluid off drives a feature of his innings.
McIver, who had batted at number 10 in the first innings, played very well in the Free Foresters’ second innings, reaching his double century before the declaration came. A great proportion of his runs came in boundaries and he received good support from Collins who made another 80 and Gonszor 67.
Set an improbable 486 to win, Herts at stumps on day two were 23-2 and that they finally scored 198 was almost single handedly down to Reece Hussain. In another fine innings, he made 108 from 188 balls with 12 fours before being seventh out.
Many thanks to Old Albanians CC who were very hospitable hosts.
Herts team:- James Scott (captain), Reece Hussain, James Latham, Tim Graham, Ryan Wells, Jay Parmar, Alex Axon (w/k), Scott Galloway, Jack Tidey, Abhishek Kulkarni and Prith Sarvaiya.
Ian Potton
Team Manager