Beaten for first time off the penultimate ball

Hucknall suffered their first defeat of the season to slip to third in Division B of the South Notts League '” yet they so nearly won in an exciting finish before losing by three runs.
Josh BuckleyJosh Buckley
Josh Buckley

Chasing Plumtree’s 197 for eight, Hucknall found it hard going at the start and in the first six overs there was only one scoring shot, a two by Antony Freeman before he was trapped lbw.

Aaron Simpson and George Buckthorpe continued to be tied down and it wasn’t until the 12th over that a boundary arrived.

Buckthorpe hit a few boundaries but when Simpson danced down the track and was stumped for 12, it started a procession as five wickets fell for 20 to leave Hucknall in deep trouble at 75 for seven.

Josh Buckley and Joel Wright came together in a terrific partnership of 61 at almost a run a ball.

However, when Buckley was bowled for 45 more than 60 were still required.

Max Thompson and Wright reduced the target to 30 when Wright was caught on the boundary for 27, but Thompson was in big-hitting mood and with Will Spray got the equation down to five required off the last over.

With two balls to go though Thompson was stumped as Hucknall were dismissed for 194.

Earlier Plumtree had won the toss and batted and got off to a slow start against Buckley and Wright in their more familiar roles as opening bowlers.

At the half way stage Plumtree were 80 for 2 and in a decent position to push on.

But they lost three wickets on 95 before scoring at run a ball for the last 10 overs to get up to 197.

Adam Scott took three for 61 in 16 overs and Max Thompson two for 27.