Match Centre

1st team win at Purton

After not playing in April for 2 years 2025 has brought miraculous weather and the first team played their first preseason game of the season away at Purton Cricket club new boys to premier two this season after consecutive promotions.

Hatherley arrived at Purton's stunning ground and skipper Tom Hage won the toss and elected to bat first. Hatherley new overseas Ganesh Gadugu was playing his first game for the club. 

Teenagers Nemika Benthona and Noah Bennett opened the batting for Hatherley and got us off to the perfect start, batting all the way through till the 24 over and putting on 135 for the first wicket. Noah punished anything short and played some beautiful straight drives. Nemika got of the mark with a beautiful backfoot cover drive for 4 and was particularity good of the legs.

Purton fought back with ex Hatherley player Tom Bowler trapping Noah LBW for 54. Next over Nemika also fell LBW to Purton Chairman Callum Wright for 60. This brought Captain Tom Hage and overseas Ganesh Gadugu together. Unfortunately the potential fireworks will have to wait another week as Ganesh still adjusting to UK conditions chipped a catch to mid off to depart for 4. Tom Hage however with the perfect platform smashed it to all parts and retired after getting to a 28 ball 50. Hatherley ended their 40 overs on 227 a good start to the season for the batsman.

In the field all the bowlers got a few overs to dust off the cobwebs and find a rhythm. Tom Hage again looked dangerous with the new ball and took two wickets in his first spell. Harry Bloomfield bowled 3 quick and accurate overs. Ganesh showed his all round game with 4 good accurate overs and a excellent catch to dismiss Purtons captain Tom Whittaker. Ozare and Joel bowled well in tandem with their spin and even Sam Dent took two wickets with his right arm dross.... 

Overall this was a good start in a pretty relaxed environment. Great to see so many of our youth players starting to come of age and making a impact on first team cricket. We will be easily the youngest team in the league this year but have every chance to be successful. Its a year to be excited about on and off the pitch at Hatherley.