HOF's 182 all out (Holliday 66) lost to South Park Manor (183 for 9)
 
A much changed Headley Old Freemen’s team took on South Park Manor (SPM) on 9th May at a balmy King George’s Field. HOF's featured several players making their club debuts while other more familiar faces made their first appearances for some time. A number of HOF's regulars had planned to spend the day watching England against West Indies at Lords but an early finish left them to instead endure a dreaded trip to Bluewater or the opportunity to cross a few jobs off their DIY lists.
 
Stand-in captain Alan Clarke won the toss and sent opening batsmen Paul Holliday and Ben Whiting out to face SPM’s attack. Holliday and Whiting started well with both hitting big straight sixes before Whiting departed with 14 to his name. Convalescing Mark Piper then departed quickly when Holliday forgot the “no quick singles” rule agreed several seconds earlier. Nick Dart  then hit an aggressive 18 before holing out. Neil Skinner failed to make an impact, tamely offered catching practice to mid-off before Geoff Moon and Andy Elburn provided Holliday with much needed support. Holliday was finally out for 66 and fears of a collapse surfaced when skipper Clarke quickly followed. Those concerns were promptly quashed though by determined batting mixed with aggressive shot making from Derek Smith and Tim May. The final wicket pairing of Smith and David Ridout kept up the good work and steered HOF's to a respectable 182 all out from 42 overs.
 
The second innings started well for HOF's; opening bowlers Whiting and Skinner picking up 3 quick wickets with the old ball swinging. SPM then consolidated their position well and despite HOF's opting to use the new ball, further wickets weren’t forthcoming. Debutant Moon, who generated lots of swing, should consider himself unlucky to be left with figures of 1 for 23 off 10 very useful overs.  Marathon spells from Whiting (15 overs 3 for 50) Skinner (14 overs 3 for 62), Clarke (1 for 34) and May made slow progress through the young SPM ranks as the home side continued to accumulate runs. Any result still looked possible in the final overs of the game and when Clarke started the last over, SPM needed 5 runs to win, HOF's needing 2 wickets. A direct hit run-out from Moon, fielding at point, built the excitement further with another strong run-out appeal turned down the ball afterwards. Smart running from SPM, assisted by a wide from the mortified Clarke, saw the scores tied with 1 ball of the game remaining. Another debatable pad/bat single ensured a dramatic victory to SPM and left HOFs's ruing what could have been. While the late controversial run-out decision took the shine from this exciting game, it was HOF's inability to take the 10 wickets of an average batting side in 48 overs which really stopped them from making it 2 wins from 2 this season. HOF's will be hoping to get back to winning ways in their next fixture against Shere.