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Extraordinary
tight finish in this low-scoring Halstead KO cup final match at Star
Stile, which Bures lost, won, and ultimately lost again!
Having been
asked to bat, what followed was
not a distinguished exhibition from the Bures batters. Chambers
L. and Amos perished at 16 for 2, Whitthread and Crace soon
followed and Joe Dutton was unable to find that elusive white rabbit.
James Lee at 6 had a go, but was swiftly returned to the
pavilion as was Chambers C, run out. So, Bures 48 for 8 with 10
overs to go! Enter Big Pat and Little Si, our innings closed on
99 for 9 with Pat on 31; an excellent effort from both batters
in restoring some respectability to the total. However, Long
Melford returned to the pavilion with more than a contented
smile.
In reply,
Chambers C. and Crace opened the proceedings, adequate but not
startling, after 10 overs Long Melford 55 for 2 (Chambers 2
wickets). They had no need to rush. It was decided to ask Joe to
come down the hill and Pat upwards. Joe ran to the crease and
slipped and skidded down the wicket on his backside much to the
amusement of Melford! He picked himself up, brushed himself
down, issued a couple of boxing kicks and returned to his mark.
He bowled as well as ever, taking a wicket in his first over and
the next four overs were economical. Big Pat fantastic from the bottom end, 4
wickets, economical stuff. The gap was beginning to close. 3
overs remaining, 4 wickets in hand 17 runs needed. 2 overs left,
11 required, excellent catch from J. Lee, 8 down. Last over, 4
needed, Pat bowling. Then, 2 runs required from the final delivery for
outright victory.
Now, a close field and a less than competent no. 10 batter. Good
delivery, mishit straight to Willy at short mid-off, game over.
All that was required was a gentle lob to the keeper. The
batsmen run, Will attempts to field the ball, misfields,
misfields again, it won't go into his hand - all he needs to do
is lob it to the keeper. He finally gets ball in hand, and
the only chance is to throw the stumps down at the bowler's
end. He throws, misses and goes for overthrows -two
runs to Melford- not a tie after all - a win by two wickets.
And so it was a
case of so-near, so-far for Bures who reluctantly relinquished
the trophy to Melford. There's always next year, of course but a
more exciting, closely fought and fluctuating final one could
not hope to see again. A fine advert for grass roots cricket.
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