HARTFORD entertained Sandbach for the first time looking to build on the fantastic victory at Stalybridge the previous week - and did so in stunning style.
Hartford, missing their two main bowlers, were asked to field first by the visitors, and despite taking an early wicket the batsmen were soon on top on a flat, hard track with a lightning-fast outfield. Fourteen-year-old James Hodgkinson, making his first team league debut, was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3-29 in 10 overs, but Sandbach managed to close their innings on a massive 231-7.
Hartford's position looked even more ominous as Geoff Sharp was hit in the face and had to retire hurt, and they lost two more wickets with the total on just 24. Sharp then re-entered the fray, and shared a third wicket partnership of 142 with Matt Shinkfield, who fell just short of a century on 98.
Captain Rob Whittle then joined Sharp, and they proceeded to make inroads into the final part of the target. Sharp struck the final boundary to bring up a well-deserved century as Hartford passed the total with comparative ease with more than three overs and seven wickets in hand.
