With the smell of freshly mown grass in the air, crowds poured into West Ashling Cricket Club for the fifth instalment of the Chidbrook Trophy, between Chidham and Hambrook. Skippers Haskett and Davey accompanied senior umpire Cliff Archer to the wicket for the toss. Keith called incorrectly, Gareth elected to bat first and the game was underway.

The Hambrook opener's Walmsley and Smith made and solid start, with running between wickets for quick singles, swift two's and the odd three. Mike appeared to have gained a yard or two since his run out last year! Paul was off the mark first ball to a loosener from Mat Chesshire and Mike followed soon with a chip over the bowlers head, and then an edge over Stephen Johnson at first slip. The over night rain made for a slow out field, so quick running was essential to push the score along.

Mike almost made double figures, 9, before being caught by Jock Robertson off the bowling of David George, who's line and length was excellent, making the openers play every delivery. Alan Brown came in at number three for his Chidbrook debut, and another edge again over Johnson in the slips, settled early nerves. Alan went on to make 7 and provided solid support to Paul before being caught by Jonathan Davies off Jock's bowling. Paul hit the first boundary with a shot that skipper Davey had covered before a vicious Ashling bounce beat him for four. This was soon followed by a 6 off Jock's final ball over square leg. Ben Gottersman slowed the run rate with a rapid couple of over's and skipper Davey was on the spot as ever, leaving Hambrook on 47 for 2 at the half way point.

Paul and Haskett Snr. kept the score board ticking over nicely until Paul had to retire on 25 and Haskett Jnr. joined the skipper at the crease. David George returned to the attack and there followed fine running and very loud calling by the father and son partnership, including one lofty shot by Josh for four that 99% of the crowd were convinced was a six!

But as Josh hit out again George struck for the third wicket with the help of a fine catch by Ben in the deep. 89 for 3 off 15, with yet another retirement, skipper Haskett on 27. Tommy Wild was off the mark with a four, this even after the field was pushed back by Keith as he walked to the crease. The threat of Wild prompted Keith to bring back Mat into the attack and following a skier dropped in the covers, Wild's cameo was over with a dubious run out decision. Prompted more by a very large shout by fielder Chesshire than anything else.

Stuart Hodges came in and Martin Edmeads came out! Bowled by Mat 0 off his pads. Elliot Holloway-Wheatley arrived at the crease having a little trouble securing one item of his protective equipment, but was soon glad he did when a quick one caught him with a hollow thud! That superman t-shirt he had on was obviously well deserved. Despite his wardrobe failure he managed a single when Pete Hilton couldn't quite latch on to a chance low to his right, before being caught behind by Ashley Nute, once more off the bowling off Robinson.

The Chidham bowlers finished well as the tail failed to wag. Herbie small bowled Stuart Hodges who failed the trouble the scorers and Ben chipped in with John Hodges clean bowled 0 and David Phizackerley in the same fashion for 4. Tom Phizackerley was undefeated at the close, as was Steve Clark facing his customary one ball for one run.

Hambrook finished on 106 for 9

The pick of the bowlers; well surly Herbie Small was under used with a single maiden over and one wicket? Ben three over's for 9 runs and two wickets at the close was impressive, and JD, despite no wickets, was on the spot with only 14 coming off his 3 over's! Not a huge total, but a slow pitch!

Tea was served, and JK entertained the Chidham and Hambrook youth policy with an entertaining game of Quick Cricket.

Mat Chesshire and David George opened for Chidham and needing 107 to win it was a fine opening partnership against some hostile bowling from Josh and Tommy W . With 24 off the first five over's and no wickets the opening pace attack was rested

Steve Clark came on to see off the impressive Chesshire! This was easily done, 4 through the legs side, and he was back in the pavilion- retired on 25. Followed soon afterwards by Ashley Nute, caught and bowled Clark for 1 who was having an unusually accurate spell! The arrival of Gottesman at the wicket prompted a bowler/skipper conference…

The upshot being Josh was to stay on at the far end and Clark was to give way to Tommy if required at the pavilion end. Fired up for the challenge Haskett Jnr. roared in… the result a massive no ball. Did heads drop? No, Gottesman clean bowed next ball, Haskett Jnr. for 1! A key dismissal.

Pete Hilton was off the mark first ball as Chidham reached 47 for 2 off 10 (the same as Hambrook at the half way stage). It was looking close. David Phizackerley had a fine spell taking over from Josh and the far end, assisted by a great catch by Martin Edmeads to dismiss opener George, for a fine 15, and bowling Jock for 1 in a two wicket pivotal over, for only three runs. 50 for 4 off 11

Skipper Davey then shared a productive middle order partnership with Hilton, and Haskett Snr.tossed the ball to Phizackerley Jnr. in and attempt to break the partnership. Tom's first outing for Hambrook was soon rewarded, his 5th ball clean bowling Hilton for 10 and his 6th ball clean bowling Jonathan Davies for a Golden Duck. 70 for 6 off 15

Unfortunately the hat trick ball was dispatched for 4 followed by another form Davey next ball- playing a Captains knock. Tom removed well with figures of 2 for 15 off 2. A great start to his Chidbrook cup career. Josh was recalled to bowl Keith for 19 and Tommy came back to bowl Phillip Johnson (1) and Tony Young (0) Chidham were now 84 for 9 with 12 bowls left. 27 required for a draw. Herbie small and Stephen Johnson at the wicket, with Mat ready to return, not out 25!

Would Hambrook play safe and try to keep Small and Johnson in check, or go for the wickets and risk the return of Chesshire? Alan Brown tossed one up to Johnson, stopped the returning straight drive in his follow through and ran out Herbie for 7!

Chesshire returned for the final over needing 15 to win! Two 6's and a 4? A 6, two 4's and a single? Three 4's and three singles? Four 4's? No, one wicket, clean bowled Tommy Wild second ball!

Hambrook win by 14 runs and retain the Chidbrook trophy, taking a 3-2 lead in the series

Captain Haskett nominated Matt for his fine knock of 25 as his man of the match for Chidham, and Captain Davey nominated Tom Phizackerley as Hambrook's, for his fine spell including consecutive wickets in his first ever Chidbrook over.

Thanks to all who came to support, Cliff for his umpiring and Carol for keeping score. To all for the wonderful tea and John at The Old House for the beer! A big thanks to Jon Keynes for his half time involvement as well-it was great to see. Cheers all and see you next year.

Warmsley's blog
Hi guys,              Hambrook elected to bat and were the bookies underdogs. A workmanlike opening partnership ensued pushing singles and running occasional 2's. Smith(9,caught) holed out with one big swing too many, but he knew 4per over was not going to be enough. Walmsley(25,ret.) was joined by debutant Brown(7,caught) and initially increased the run rate by scurrying even more frantically between the stumps.              
Eventually the first boundary came courtesy of a misfield from Chidham's captain elect Davey. It was obvious that with 13 fielders the only way was up and Hambrook went aerial, hitting a six. Unfortunately Brown perished but up to the plate stepped regular skipper Haskett senior(27,ret.) who set about hitting those hitherto elusive boundaries. Walmsley retired only to be replaced by Haskett junior who just fell short of clearing the boundary to cow corner for 6,gaining 4 runs instead. The next big hit from the young lad went squarer but was just again too short to clear the boundary and was pouched by Gottesman with his customary aplomb.              
Haskett senior retired leaving Wild(15,run out) to demonstrate some neat wristy cuts. However his innings was cut short when inexplicably he found himself out of his ground with bails removed by Chesshire, whose appeal was enough to startle some of the, by now, large crowd let alone the umpire, who from close range thrust his finger in the air. Off trudged Wild in the same direction of the monster six he struck last year.            
With the introduction of Edmead(0,bowled) and fellow debutants, Hodges jun(0,bowled) and Holloway-Weatley(1,caught) the rain fell and ironically the runs dried up. Some stoic batting against superior bowling meant that it was left to the jester, Clarke(1,n.o.) to carry his bat with Phizackerly junior(0 n.o.), but not before Phizackerly senior(4,bowled) had flashed the ball to the long off boundary securing a 106 runs total.             At this point a fantastic tea was taken, thankyou all who provided/set out/ tidied up. Also thanks to the organisers of the marvelous childrens game of diamond cricket that took place. In particular Keynes, with his best spell of bowling this season.            
After the tea interval Chidham came out to bat and so did the sun. Chesshire(25,ret.) regular opener for the Hawks, set about the fiery bowling attack of Hasket junior and Wild and quickly reached his 25 (retired) finding the boundary with ease.There was some great support batting from the Chidham no.2 David G(15 Caught), before Jester Clarke came on and took the first wicket finally, only 10 more to get. Ashley N.(1 caught)was caught magnificently by Edmead at backward square leg off Phizackerly senior.             
After 7 overs Chidham were 50 for 2 and on came Chidham's most explosive Batsman Gottesman(1, bowled). It was make or break time for Hambrook. Hasket senior tossed the cherry to Hasket junior. The next move in this game of chess was imminent. Gottesman's off stump uprooted by a rip-snorter of a  delivery .                          
Suddenly Hambrook were in with a sniff of victory, when it looked like bookies favourites Chidham were cruising. But who could somehow put a halt to the procession of runs that would surely ensue? Enter the Phizackerly's another father and son duo to take on the big hitters;              
Jock R(1,bowled) unlucky to be bowled off his heel going for a big shot to a leg side delivery,                Hilton(10,Bowled), taken out by young Phizackerly, who not to be outdone by his Dad ,promptly took Jonathon D(0,bowled) with his next ball and was on a hatrick.  Alas captain Davey(19,bowled) despatched that delivery to the boundary and steadied the ship. Support came from able-bodied Herbie Small(7,run out).               
It was time for the captains to lock horns,The gloves were off ect, 28 off 4 overs, bring back the wild thing Tommy Gun at the pavilion end with Josh Hasket and Allan Brown given the responsibilty at the other.              
The 18th over saw the wickets of Phillip J(1,bowled) and Tony Y (0,bowled) both fall to Tommy.  19th over Josh took the captain out. The final over, 15 for victory, saw the return of Chesshire. Matt's only choice was to swing and he perished becoming Wild's 3rd victim in 6 balls. Game over.               
I'd like to congratulate all those who took part in what was a great game played in a great spirit. I feel privileged to live with people who can play cricket with a smile on their face win or lose.