1st v Thornbury
Hawkesbury made the short trip to bottom side Thornbury 2s knowing that a win could be pivotal in the bid to secure WEPL status for another season. Winning the toss and electing to bat, a steady start was made with George Bailey (51) and Ali Bell (27) putting on 90 for the first wicket. Coming in at 3, Kudzai Maunze (82) was the mainstay of the innings with fine support from Mike Colborn (46*). Josh Morris then came in with three overs to go and launched an astonishing attack on the Thornbury bowling, hitting an unbeaten 28 off just 12 balls, including three sixes. This propelled Hawkesbury to an imposing 317-5 from their 50 overs.

Thornbury made a strong start in pursuit, with skipper Simon Weeks looking to cash in on the flat pitch and short boundaries. However Davis Newcombe (2-30), Thornbury’s tormenter from the corresponding fixture last season, took the key wicket of the captain for 66 to turn the game in Hawkesbury’s favour. With the score at 121/2 at drinks, the game was well poised with Thornbury requiring the best part of 8 an over but with wickets in hand. Newcombe, Sam Beeley (2/52) and Kudzai Maunze (3/29) had other ideas though, promptly snuffing out any Thornbury hopes as the hosts slumped to 170/8 in the next 15 overs, eventually succumbing to 219 all out.

A solid all round performance, especially given the pressure coming into the game. The win takes us up to sixth in the league, 30 points above the drop. Next week brings the visit of Frocester 2s in a crucial match for both sides in the battle for survival.

2nd XI v Charfield
Hawkesbury won the toss and decided to bowl on a used deck which looked like it might misbehave a bit. Charfield started well with Tweed finding the boundary a number of times before he fell to Thomas looking to go big through the leg side once more. The Hawks opening bowlers then applied the pressure to the Charfield top order and were unlucky not to make more inroads to the batting lineup. Messer and Chancellor came into the attack and continued the tight bowling, taking out the middle order without too much resistance, skipper Platts providing the exception, playing well for his 46 runs before Windmill pinged one in from the midwicket boundary to run him out looking to turn a single into a 2. The determination to succeed this year in the 2s was summarised perfectly by a moment of class from club chairman Tim Chancellor, fielding at mid off, chasing down a ball heading to the boundary, flinging himself toward the rope and flicking the ball backwards while he carried on over the rope, great work to help save 2 runs which would end up being pivotal in the run chase to follow. Balanthan and Windmill then came on to finish off a solid bowling and fielding performance cleaning up the tail without much trouble, both ending with 3fer’s, Windmill rearranging the stumps on 3 occasions - nice.

At half time we enjoyed a very nice and plentiful tea c/o Poppy and Boo, however, maybe the openers had a bit too much tea, as we found ourselves 16 for 4 after the first few overs, the umpires coming and going as quickly as the top order batters! Thankfully, some consolidation came with German and Cartwright slowing the fall of wickets and working hard to find runs here and there. Eventually German fell, bringing Messer to the crease - he and Cartwright dug in and put on a great 60 odd runs before Messer was removed with another good ball - out came Thomas to work with Cartwright to drag us across the finishing line with a couple of overs and wickets to spare.

Charfield made this our toughest game of the season, well done chaps. Thankfully we got there… just!, maintaining the 100% win rate for the season. With the breaking news that 2nd place Slimbridge had lost, celebrations ensued, knowing that we were now being crowned as champions of Glos div 7b. Three games left to keep up that 100% record and finish a great season in style.

Windmill 3-14-6
Balanathan 3-23-8

Cartwright 43*
Messer 21
Thomas 17*
German 17

MOTM: Cartwright for his hard fought 43* - grinding out the runs with dogged determination. A class knock.
Highlights: Chancellor’s fielding at long on, Windmill 3fer and run out from the deep.