Horsley unable to find rythm as Esher dominate

Horsley unable to find their ‘mojo’ as Esher dominate

Esher 151 for 7 (20 overs)
Horsley 106 for 4 (20 overs)
Esher won by 45 runs

Horsley needed to be on top of their game if they were going to challenge Esher in this cup quarter final. Losing the toss Captain Collett was pleased with the outcome as Esher elected to bat. All looked good after the first over. The opener had survived a close LBW shout earlier in the over but was not so lucky three balls later when he was trapped in front and Stewart deservedly had his man. It could have been even better a ball later when Coppen found the outside edge but with no slip the ball only had one way to go, the boundary. Esher then capitalised on a few no balls resulting in three free hits as Coppen struggled to find his rhythm. However as is often the case against Esher there was controversy. The batsman missed the ball off a free hit and the impressive Trimming removed the bails – OUT? According to the rules of cricket you can be run out or stumped off a FREE hit, seemingly not in this competition, well according to Esher that is…! Organisers yet to confirm! The same batsman was also nearly caught as Stewart made an acrobatic attempt at a drive but just missed out – great effort. Just as Esher seemed to be racing away with proceedings Dennis and Rose combined to settle things down. Dennis found the edge of the number 3 batsman and Trimming took a smart catch behind he stumps. Rose once again bowled a great line and length and had both batsmen guessing at times. He thoroughly deserved a wicket but it was not to be but it was no surprise that captain Collett kept him on for four consecutive overs – certainly one of the stand out performances of the game; well done Alex. The captain then passed the ball to Isaac and for the next four overs that was the last time the ball was going to go straight on as the leg spinning wizard cast his magic. First he removed the number four batsman after Trimming had whipped off the bails. Unperturbed after a couple of lofty blows he had the measure of his man and combined together with Trimming again to have the dangerous opener stumped. It wasn’t to end there! In the same over Collett took a great catch at mid-wicket to remove the incoming batsman – great stuff Ben. The batsmen then rode their luck for a few overs and on another day Misra could well have been in the wickets but not today as Esher found the boundary on a now regular basis. Captain Collett brought himself on and bowling spin managed to pick one up on the way. Dennis at the other end benefitted from one that kept low but by the end Esher has amassed 151 – a challenging total but not unattainable…
Both Esher openers were immediately into their stride and generating some lively pace. Hernandez did well to withstand the barrage. However Stewart, looking to go over mid-wicket could only look on in horror as the leg side sweeper ran around and made a relatively difficult catch look pedestrian – not the start Horsely were after. Trimming joined Hernandez and between them their task was to see off the openers who were giving little away. Hernandez hit the first boundary going past square leg but having looked settled was to be bowled the next over by one that kept a little low. At 19 for 2 after 6 overs things were looking ominous. Captain Collett joined Trimming and between they started to repair the early damage. The wicket was getting noticeably more difficult to bat on but both did well to keep the scoreboard moving as Esher maintained the pressure with some good testing deliveries. Sensing the need to up the tempo Trimming started to take some risks and with it finding the boundary. Meanwhile Collett was happy to give him strike and settle for the singles. Having hit four boundaries Trimming was to retire in style when he plundered the ball into the field next door to reach his fifty and walked off to great applause from all around – great innings Luke. Dennis joined Collett but they were both to perish in similar a fashion. The captain was first to go when having just hit a four a thick edge a few balls later was caught in the covers. Dennis was caught driving leaving Hughes and Yalden to try to salvage something from a game that had by now run away from Horsley. Both survived some testing deliveries but their efforts were in vain as the game petered out…
From the banter after the game it was clear that the boys knew they could and should have fared much better as they discussed aspects of the match but sometimes things don’t go your way; it’s just a shame it had to be Esher!

Next up Guildford…