Hook CC (171 all out) lost to Wales 40s Club (208 for 9) by 37 runs

 
Umpires: Gareth Brace & Simon Richards
Scorers: Chris Holder/Sam Rossiter & Phillip Stallard
 
Hook further celebrated their centenary on Sunday afternoon with an entertaining tussle against The Welsh 40s Club which included several talented Pembrokeshire players alongside Simon Holliday, now playing up the line, and others drawn across the ‘M4 Corridor’ and as far north as Dolgellau as Jonathan Lloyd turned out after the long run through Mid Wales.
 
The visitors eventually put their experience to good effect as they batted first and then ‘Doc’ Holliday caught the eye as he gave excellent performances with bat and ball but also noteworthy were the performances of brothers Liam and Lewis Miller for Hook, whist Jamie Phelps played for the 40s Club and all three of his sons in Aled, Owen and Rhys were in the Hook team as well.
 

‘Doc’ and Filgi shine with the bat

 
Lewis Miller struck early with the ball as he bowled Rob Saunders (5) and Jamie Phelps (11) before Karl Rhead (St Ishmaels) joined Holliday in a stand of 65 until the latter was caught by Daf Bowen for 24 (including five fours).
 
Holliday was in imperious form in conjunction with another former local in Filgi Varghese 9now playing for Newport Fugitives) as they added a further 58 runs but when it looked as if he might claim another century he lost focus and was well caught by Bowen for 82, including 12 fours and three big sixes.
 
Varghese showed he is to be considered as an all-rounder as he eventually advanced his individual score to 58 not out in only 57 deliveries, including 11 boundaries - although he did blot his copybook a little as he ran out Jonathan Lloyd for a duck and Ian Milsom (Herbrandston) for just two runs, to the latter’s evident dismay!
 
Lewis Miller grabbed 2 for 18 in seven overs and Callum James (2 for 37 in eight overs) also bowled well as there was a wicket and maiden over apiece for Harry Makepeace and Bradley Flood whilst respectively being dispatched for 29 and 19 runs as Wales 40s Club finished their 40 overs with a tally of 208 for 9.
 

‘Minky’ strikes early but Hook battle back via the Miller brothers

 
After a sumptuous tea Hook’s hopes of chasing down their target were severely dented as Ian Milsom showed his ability to bowl straight and his accuracy was rewarded as he clean bowled Owen Phelps without scoring and then trapped Dafydd Bowen (4) and Jacob Lay (13) in his splendid six-over spell 3 for 21, including one maiden, to leave Hook on 31 for 3.
 
Then the Miller brothers settled things down well as Liam stroked 34 (five fours) in only 31 balls and Lewis looked destined for a deserved half century but Holliday joined the fray with his slow left-am stuff and had him caught by wicket-keeper Tom Davies for 49, having struck seven fours in his 42 balls faced.
 
Unfortunately, Harry Makepeace was adjudged lbw to Moul from his first ball before Rhys Phelps and Jack Phillips adjusted the balance but Phillips was run out for 15 and Phelps  (32) fell to the canny Holliday after hitting four boundaries in his excellent 32 (37 balls).
 
Holliday continued his good work by bowling Callum James (4) and having Bradley Flood stumped by Tom Davies (4) to finish as obvious man of the match with figures of 4 for 19 alongside his top run-making.
 
It meant that the 40s Club were good value for victory in front of an excellent crowd but in the final analysis the centenary celebrations were really enhanced and were certainly continued in the bar afterwards to complete a memorable day for Hook Cricket Club.





 
 

SCORECARDS:

 
Wales Over 40s Batting:
Simon Holliday ct Liam Miller b Bradley Flood 82
Rob Saunders b Lewis Miller 5
Jamie Phelps ct Liam Miller b Lewis Miller 11
Karl Rhead ct Dafydd Bowen b Jack Phillips 24
Filgi Varghese not out 58
Jonathan Lloyd run out 0
Steven Moul b Harry Makepeace 0
Tom Davies b Callum James 1
Mark Morgan b Callum James 1
Ian Milsom run out 2
Chris Newport not out 1
Extras 23
Total (9 wickets) 208
 
Hook Bowling:
Liam Miller 7-2-18-2; Callum James 8-0-37-2; Aled Phelps 4-0-11-0; Owen Phelps 4-0-28-0; Jack Phillips 5-0-21-0; Rhys Phelps 4-0-31-0; Harry Makepeace 4-1-29-1; Bradley Flood 4-1-19-1.
 
Hook Batting:
Jacob Lay lbw b Ian Milsom 13
Owen Phelps b Ian Milsom 0
Dafydd Bowen lbw b Ian MIlsom 4
Liam Miller b Steven Maul 34
Lewis Miller ct Tom Davies  b Simon Holliday 49
Harry Makepeace lbw b Steven Maul 0
Rhys Phelps lbw b Simon Holliday 32
Jack Phillips run out 15
Callum James b Simon Holliday 5
Aled Phelps not out 4
Bradley Flood st Tom Davies b Simon Hall 4
Extras 11
Total (171 all out)
 
Wales Over 40s Bowling:
Ian Milsom 6-1-21-3; Steven Maul 8-0-37-2; Jamie Phelps 5-0-34-0; Jonathan Lloyd 3-0-30-0; Simon Holliday 5.1-0-19-4