Herefordshire National Counties Season Review

18 Sep 2023   |   By Richard Prime

HEREFORDSHIRE’S rain-ravaged season ended in disappointment with the county side relegated back to NCCA Western Division 2 after a two-season stay in the top flight. While defeat in the final match against Devon at Sidmouth sealed the county’s fate, it was the final day of the three-day clash against Berkshire at Eastnor which ultimately proved crucial. After dominating proceedings for the first two days, Herefordshire lost their grip on the game on the final morning when Berkshire were allowed to get away to set a victory target of 206. This proved well beyond the home side who were shot out for 76 after a disappointing batting display. Herefordshire had also been in the game throughout against Oxfordshire in their other home game, but regular interruptions by rain prevented a conclusive result. Matters had been even worse against Cheshire when all three days of the match at Alderley Edge were washed out, allowing not even a single ball to be bowled.

 Notwithstanding the disappointments of the red ball campaign, there were some notable highlights with Ben Chapman-Lilley scoring 260 runs at an average of 65.00 with two 50’s and one century and James Rudge the leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets at 19.00, which included a 10 wicket haul against Berkshire. In the all-rounder category, Roshan Venkatamaran took 12 wickets at 32.75 and averaged 37.66 with the bat. The full list of Championship averages can be found here.

The weather had also played a significant role in the T20 competition where four games – two against Devon at Sandford and two at home to Wiltshire at Eastnor – were abandoned without any play possible. The season had begun with two defeats to Dorset at Sherborne School where the visitors failed to get to grips with a strong spin attack. But on a much improved day against Cornwall, where after a first-match defeat, Herefordshire beat the side which went on to head the group, showing what might have been.

 It was a similar story of falling just short in the 50-over competition where defeat against Cumbria at Brockhampton by just a single wicket from the final ball of the game was to prove crucial. A comprehensive defeat by Northumberland at Jesmond gave little indication of what was to follow when wins over Lincolnshire at Brockhampton and over Oxfordshire at Great and Little Tew would have brought quarter-final qualification had that Cumbria result gone the other way.

 While we already know our Championship opponents for next year – rivalries will be rekindled over three days with Wales, Shropshire, Wiltshire and Dorset – indications are that the groups for the T20 and 50-over competitions will be redrawn. All will be revealed before the end of the year!

(Sincere thanks to Richard Prime for this season’s review and for his match previews and reports throughout the season – Ed)

 Showcase - St Michael’s Hospice

We are delighted to announce that thanks to the generosity of spectators, sponsors and hospitality guests at this year’s Showcase game against Glamorgan, we were able to make a donation of over £1500 to St Michael’s. Thanks again for your support!

It only remains  for us to say thanks to our loyal membership, sponsors, host clubs, coaches and officials for their much-valued support this summer. Winter well and we’ll look forward to seeing you in 2024 when, hopefully, there will be a little more in the way of sunshine.