The HNCC Men’s Senior XI kicked off their season on Saturday with the visit of NOBM CC to Anderson Park. On a hot day in The Bay, Cotter lost the toss and the boys were asked to bowl first. Veterans Prescott and Ketel took the new ball and looked dangerous early on getting the ball to move around, before JK struck with the opening wicket of the season. The more youthful pairing of Ben Taylor and Josh Reed were next on and soon began to make inroads. In the 17th over, Ben ripped through the visitors middle order, eventually clean bowling their number 7 to claim a brilliant hat-trick. He finished with fine figures of 4-26, young leggie Tim Ferguson (1-6) gave it a rip and Reedo bowled beautifully, finishing with 3-24. The visitors dismissed for 100 inside 29 overs.
The Village were in a spot of bother early doors in their reply, reduced to 28-3. But it was down to returning student Louis Skerman and young keeper, coming off the back of a couple of good catches in the first innings, Max Devonshire to get the job done. The pair batted wonderfully, rotating the strike nicely whilst managing to put a few loose deliveries away. Louis carried his bat for 44 and Max scored a quicker than a run a ball 37, including two large maximums. The Village Seniors reaching their target for the loss of just 3 wickets inside 20 overs, off to a great start.
