Rich Hudson swings the bat for his maiden century (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Rich Hudson swings the bat for his maiden century

DEMONSTRATING blistering form on the hottest day of the summer so far, young Rich Hudson made a most delightful maiden century for Cirencester 2nds in Saturday's match against Corse & Staunton.

Andy Lobo and Hudson opened the batting for Town and made a steady start against a young bowling attack before an out-of-sorts Lobo fell in the tenth over with the score on 38.

Dan Robbins then shared a 99- run stand with his junior partner in the next 17 overs as both were severe on any loose deliveries.

Robbins fell to the fifth bowler used for a well struck 40 and, shortly after, Hudson reached his maiden 50 for the club.

The momentum was continued, although two further wickets fell before Tom Burgess joined Rich and was particularly severe on Fossey.

In fact, he hit him for four four's in a row as he shared a 58- run stand before falling for 39 in a five-over stay at the crease.

Rich by now had moved into the 90s and proceeded to complete a magnificent ton in the 40th over.

It was certainly a day for a 16-year-old to remember who had survived two chances but, on such a sweltering day, had batted with real application and was prepared to run two's for his fellow batters in body-sapping heat.

Eventually falling with his team on 262 and with five overs to go, the rest of the innings was an anti-climax as the Town finally posted their highest total for a long time with the innings tailing off at 291-7.

In reply, the Cirencester attack of John Cosh and Phil Carter soon showed the home side how to bowl on their own wicket with Carter gaining a wicket in his first over and Cosh bowling a good length that troubled both batters.

Carter gave way to the wiles of off-spinner Sam Hoskins, a 17- year-old who spins the ball prodigiously.

Hoskins gained immediate success with a short-leg catch by Andy Lobo in his first over and proceeded to weave a spell over the Corse and Staunton batters.

He picked up five wickets for 39, aided by another fine catch by Andy Lobo and one from Matt Carter behind the stumps.

Under 14 Ed Alderman then joined the party and, bowling his leg-breaks, picked up three wickets, one through a fine catch by Hudson at slip.

In the end, a fine win was achieved by a young Cirencester side who had all worked well for each other and the team.

There were also two outstanding performances - one from a 16-year-old and the other by a and 17-year-old - both of whom have a great attitude to the game.

Along with the rest of their team-mates, it was a special day for them to savour and one to look back on with much pride.