Wednesday, July 17th, marked the first time Hunts Food Group has assembled a cricket team in its 112-year history. The company took on a Compton House XI at its ground in Over Compton to help raise money for the club's new pavilion.
Hunts lost the toss and were put into bat by Compton House, making a par score of 122-3 on a wicket that certainly had something in it for the bowlers. Hunts started well, with some good ball striking from the matches oldest player Richard Hunt who raced to 15 before admiring his on-drive forgetting to run then being run out at the non-strikers end.
Some solid batting from Boltonsborough-based customer George Winstone (37) and Sherborne Warehouse's Nia Denham (20) set up Hunts for a big finish. Despite a couple of straight 6s from Thomas Hunt (31*) and a useful contribution from Mark Hancock (7*), the Compton House XI bowled well, restricting Hunts to a respectable 122 runs.
Hunts made a fast start with a rapid opening spell from Otto Denham, first taking the big wicket of club legend and Dorset Over-50s ringer Mike Harper after a superb catch from Richard Hunt! Before capturing Compton House Saturday, Vice-captain and leading player Joel Enticott LBW first ball with a lovely swinging delivery. Otto was supported well by James Catley-Day and Paul Hancock, who both bowled economically down the hill. Then, after a wayward opening couple of deliveries, Will Vincent found his line and length, getting his out-swingers going, and took the wicket of Jamie Gisborne, leaving Compton House 46-5 at the end of the 10th over.
However, Compton House captain Adam Chick and Mark Casely rallied, putting on 33 for the sixth wicket, taking the score to 79-5. Mark Hancock clean bowled Chick (34) in the 14th over with a beauty, which was followed by a Thomas Hunt leg side stumping off the next ball, leaving Hunts huge favourites with Compton House 79-7.
The 15th over saw Hunts unleash danger man Andy Cowan. Standing out in his red shorts, Andy lived up to his billing. After an incredible performance in the field, where he narrowly pipped Simon Potter to be Hunt's best fielder, he got into his work! Andy's second ball created an opportunity. Mark Casley hit the ball straight to Richard Hunt, who dropped a difficult chance, and momentum swung back towards Compton House.
Otto returned to clean bowl Mark Thurman, leaving Compton House 110-8 and the game on a knife edge. Mark Casely seemed to be closing out the game before Thomas Hunt ran out Banga after Compton House tried to steal a quick single. At 117-9, it would always be a tight finish before the man of the match, Mark Casely (31*), guided Compton House to victory with 8 balls to spare.
The evening was well supported by Hunt's colleagues, past and present, and, most importantly, raised £840.50 towards the new pavilion. A rematch will be booked next year, and Team Hunts hopes to win back the Hunt's House Cup. A huge thanks to all involved and who helped organise, and here's to next year!
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