HAVING already guaranteed promotion, Huntley required just three points to secure the Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest Division Two West title away at Highnam Court on Saturday, writes Duncan Foot.

Winning the toss and fielding first, the opening pairing of Warren Greaves and Kristian Abbott set about the Highnam Court openers of Tony Sadler and Nicholas Scott and were soon rewarded with a brace of wickets – Scott was caught behind by Josh Copper off Abbott’s first over, followed by an lbw for Greaves in the fifth to leave the home team 9-2.

Rich Bowman made a solid catch under pressure restricting Highnam Court to just 25-3 after 16 overs, including four consecutive maidens from Abbott.

A blip in the 17th over when an out-of-form Tom Mann handed the opponents 17 runs, before the pairing of Colin Reeves and U15s superstar Harrison Vickery returned the team to a more conservative run rate. Colin opened with two maidens before the batting pairing of Sadler and Phil Steers started to find their rhythm, and the boundary.

Colin made way for U15s captain Eve Powell and it took until the 27th for the next wicket to fall, this time off the bowling of Vickery, caught by Warren Greaves, with Highnam Court on 82.

But then it became a spinners masterclass, as Eve Powell took 4 wickets in four overs, only missing out on a five-wicket haul when father Steve Powell adjudged Julian Brand was out lbw off the bowling of returning Colin Reeves to close the innings with Highnam Court 133 all out.

The moderate target was helped by some good work again in the field, with Beth Powell and James Collins making valuable contributions to the team.

With the bowling points secured to guarantee Huntley the title, openers Rich Bowman and Matt Abbott looked to add some excitement to the innings.

The risk-reward strategy handed Bowman a cracking six before an lbw from Dave Brand put paid to his innings.

Joined by Harrison Vickery, Matt Abbott added 27 runs to the total coming down the track to meet the ball, only to be bowled.

Harrison played a mature innings, keep the run rate ticking over and providing the perfect partner to incoming batter Kristian Abbott, giving him the freedom to play a brilliant innings, finishing on 63 not out, which included 26 in a single over, with five consecutive boundaries.

Harrison finished on 22 not out and the winning total was reached in the 22nd over for a convincing victory and the division title with Dymock Seconds also promoted.

Highnam Court, as always, were the perfect hosts and generous opponents, playing their part. The celebrations moved on to the Huntley clubhouse where the team partied well into the night.

With the main season over, we turn our attention to a couple of matches to close out the summer.

On Saturday the Huntley Hundred returns with the Cooper Cavaliers taking on the Greaves Gladiators, starting at 2pm, followed by a Brazilian BBQ and the annual cricket awards.

Then on Sunday we welcome the Cardiff Casuals to The Gillman’s Oval for a friendly to finish off a superb season for the club.