Ed scores a ton for "Bear"

On Sunday 6 June, we had a very good game against Hinton Charterhouse, and recorded another win, having managed to beat Trinity Oxley the week before.

This was another high-scoring game with Fonthill setting the visitors a target of 194 to beat. Ed Spicer carried his bat to reach his hundred with only a ball to spare, ably supported by Dave Roberts, Andy Knight and Rupert Murray to finish on 101 not out. For Ed, the elation of his achievement was tempered with very mixed emotions as only a few days beforehand he had learned of the tragic death of his nephew in Scotland who was hit by a car while crossing the road. Not surprisingly he and the rest of the family were left devastated. He set out at the start of this innings determined to get as big a score as he could in honour and memory of the 16 year old, whose nickname was “Bear” after Edward. Coming off the field, with his bat raised to acknowledge the well-deserved applause, was a very emotional moment.

Although the pitch was playing well, Hinton Charterhouse started cautiously but saw off fine controlled bowling spells from Peter Catarinella and Jeremy Quarrie without loss, and it fell to the slower bowlers to take the vital wickets thanks to some superb fielding. The old adage that catches win matches was never more true as Ewen Moore swept in down the slope from the top boundary to take a great catch below his knees while running downhill to dismiss the opener who had scored fifty. Two more excellent catches in the deep by Rupert Murray and Peter Catarinella at long on and long off respectively sent two more of the big hitters back to the pavilion, with Tom Mitchell finishing on 4-17. The visitors reached 170-9 when they ran out of overs.

A good all-round team effort with some outstanding individual performances, well managed by skipper Murray against a very pleasant team of opponents, in a very good-spirited game.

Mark Mikurenda