Hill family to the fore in Pointers' win

1:29pm Sunday 18th May 2008

West Som League Div Two: Hinkley Point 133-4 bt Cannington 132-9 by 6 wkts

THE Pointers made it two wins in a row by beating local rivals Cannington at home with another fine, all-round team performance.

Skipper Charlie Searle had no hesitation in asking the visitors to have first use of a damp track. After a tight opening maiden by work horse Mike Luckes, it the turn of the previous week's star John Hill.

Opening the bowling for the first time this season, he snapped up a wicket first ball, thanks to the lightning reflexes of gully fielder Alex Troman. When his second ball beat the bat, keeper "Hobbly" Clarke noticed that the batsman's foot had strayed out of the crease and deflected the ball back with his one good leg for a stumping.

At 0-2, Cannington sent in their "weapon of mass destruction" Wayne Pither. He launched an assault on the bowling, hitting several of the biggest sixes seen for a long time, but eventually was bowled by Hill for 33 out of 38.

Hill continued to torment the batsmen with his exaggerated swing, picking up another three wickets, thanks to safe catching by Jeff Cock and Charlie Searle. He finished with 6-35 off 12 overs.

With one Hill "climbed", Hinkley put on two more in the shape of Young Tim and Old Dave (Hill). Cannington's last line of defence D Jones despatched the bad balls on his way to a top score of 38, but took on the "bullet arm" of Timmy "Five Bellies" Sullivan and was run out.

With Dave Hill nabbing two wickets, thanks to the safe hands of Luckes, the tail eked out a few more runs and denied the Pointers the final bowling point, finishing on 132-9.

Hinkley's opening pair of Cock and J Hill continued where they had left off the previous week and moved serenely on to 27 when Hill was bowled by a "jaffa" for 12. This brought in Old Dave, who, with Cock, rolled back the years again, moving the score on to 74 before Cock departed for a fine 27.

Hill was stroking majestically and he and Alex Troman took the score to 110 before Troman (possibly distracted by his mummy's shouts of encouragement) was bowled for 13. With Hill departing for a fine 39, Luckes(7 no) and Sullivan (9 no) took Hinkley to victory.