Hucknall snatch a draw from the jaws of victory

On a sweltering summer's afternoon Hucknall snatched a draw from the jaws of victory after they couldn't quite reach Attenborough's 262-8 despite looking strong favourites going into the last 10 overs.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jul 2018, 15:20 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2018, 17:11 BST
Kimberley Institute CC v Hucknall CC, pictured is Hucknall batsman Jake LibbyKimberley Institute CC v Hucknall CC, pictured is Hucknall batsman Jake Libby
Kimberley Institute CC v Hucknall CC, pictured is Hucknall batsman Jake Libby

The reply started badly when Hucknall slipped to 24-2 as Vinay Landa and Joe New went. It could have been worse had Jake Libby not been badly missed at cover before he got going.

It was to be an expensive miss as he and Robin Maxwell put on 89 together with no trouble. Libby brought up a half century off 65 balls with nine fours and with Maxwell looking in great touch the chase was going well.

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Then, on 45, Maxwell lifted a catch straight down long on’s throat. Libby was motoring in a fourth-wicket partnership of 55 with Matt New before the latter was lbw to Tom Murray.

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Libby hit his second century of the season off 104 balls. With Richard Greatorex looking good, 80 came off the next 10 overs as the 200 came up.

Attenborough knew if they didn’t get Libby then they would lose and the sense it was Hucknall’s game was raised when Keith Dudgeon and Libby were dropped, but Libby (122) immediately offered another catch to point and it wasn’t missed.

Thirty-three were needed but Tom Walters was caught going for a big hit. Boundaries dried up and when Dudgeon skied one the chase looked doomed. Suhail Ahmed couldn’t get bat on ball in the last over and when he was bowled with two balls to go Hucknall needed 10 to win with last man Harry Finch going to the crease. He blocked the last two to secure four points for a draw, Hucknall finishing on 253-9 from 50 overs.

Related topics:HucknallAttenborough