HAC 1st XI 224-4 drew with Romany 272-8d · Armoury House, City Road, London · Sunday 28 June 2026, 12:30 · HAC captain: Liam Casey

Weather: White wispy cloud with sunny intervals, hot and humid. Pitch: third day of use, slow and low, offering little to the bowlers but plenty to patient batters. Small boundary on one side.

There are moments in cricket that lodge in the memory not because of what happened, but because of what didn't. Ayeed Ahsan was 99 not out, 17 fours struck, a maiden hundred within touching distance, when cramp seized him and sent him from the field. Retired hurt, one agonising run short. On a blazing Sunday at Armoury House, the heatwave still lingering over the city skies, against one of England's oldest and most charming wandering clubs, it was the kind of moment that stops you in your tracks, however many times you've played this game.

The Romany are fine opposition and fine company. Founded around 1902 by soldiers returning from the Boer War, they play in some of the loveliest locations imaginable — from stately homes to country parks and village greens — and while they play every game to win, their first aim is to enjoy their cricket. A nomadic club in the truest sense, with a fixture list that has taken them to Geneva, to Goodwood House, to Petworth Park, they arrived at Armoury House in good spirits and left with a share of the honours. Their batting was led by James Over, who made a composed 116 from 112 balls — 15 fours, one six — though not before Merlin Gore had made his presence felt. Sixteen years old, making his debut, and the name alone suggests someone who was always going to announce himself. Opening the bowling, he sent down 12 overs, took 4 wickets for 45 runs, and did so with a control and intelligence that had everyone watching do double takes. His four victims included Hugo Barran, Marcus Pugh-Smith — caught behind the wicket — Henry Prenn, and James Over himself. Four wickets in a day's work. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon's introduction to senior cricket. Mayank Singh also played his part, drawing a fine catch from Ahsan at mid-on — the ball hit high and circling before Ahsan settled beneath it and took it cleanly. A declaration at 272-8 left HAC a formidable target.

The HAC reply was built on Ahsan's extraordinary innings and a steady 44 from Dipesh Patel, who put on 113 for the first wicket before falling lbw to George Fitzroy. Parry was still at the crease, the short boundary within range, and for a while the game felt there for the taking. It wasn't — not quite. Romany had batted 47 overs to our 42, and that five-over swing changed the complexion of everything. At our run rate over 47 overs, we reach 251. With the knowledge of those overs and the intent that brings, we'd back ourselves to win. Casey and Sargeant batted with purpose, but with the run rate climbing ever higher, the draw became the sensible conclusion — the last couple of overs patted back, the game quietly put to bed. HAC closed at 224-4 — honours even on paper. However, the five-over swing and Ahsan at the crease without cramp — bat flying, runs flowing — and this is a different story entirely.

Match drawn.

Honourable Artillery Company CC

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