President’s Day 2001 Report

Play started promptly at 11am with one of the favourites for the trophy, Richard Johnson and Michael Berks taking on Tom Fulk and Marcus Martin. The younger pair batted first and up against the first team strike pair did well to reach 125 without losing a wicket. The did even better when it came to bowl, but in the end lost by 2 runs, but at least had the satisfaction of taking the only wicket of the match.

The sun was out now and burning down and the weather looked set for a great day. Players were queuing up to field in the heat and cover the ground normally occupied by 11 fielders, not six|!! Robert Dunn returned to the playing arena with his brother Owen. The took on the father and son partnership of Richard and Michael Robertson. They didn’t lose a wicket either on the way to 138. The Robertson’s were totally at home. The wicket could have been prepared for them. Michael was in fine form striking the ball majestically. It was an easy win in the Reed derby with Michael and Richard reaching 160-0

Andy Goodship and Baz Curtis were trying to break their duck and win a game for the first time. They had to face another one of the favourites John and James Heslam. Andy and Baz looked set for a decent score until 4 wickets in the last over bowled by the cagey John Heslam saw them dive to 119-4. The Heslam’s strolled to 144-0 and an easy victory.

Jim Allsop and Richard Barlow looked like they could be the dark horses of the event. The had two very close games, but did enough to reach the semi finals with wins over Ben and Matt Bowles, followed by Ed Blissett and the ever young Clive Collins.

Who would join the youngsters in the semis. The Heslam’s breezed through Group C, but Group A was very tight. It came down to the last game.. Johnson and Berks against Chris and Simon Jackson. The first team skipper decided to put the young hopefuls in and they scored a positive 148, despite losing one wicket. In reply the Jackson’s just could get ahead of the rate and some tight bowling especially from Berks saw them to a thrilling 3 run win.

That left one more place. Could the father and son partnership do it against their younger opponents? William Clarke and Stuart Smith looked a good combination. They scored a good 137-1 and with Will in good form with the ball it looked tough for the local pair. Michael had other ideas. The first ball from Clarke was dispatch deep into the football pitch with the next ball going one bounce the same way. Cilla stopped cooking on the bbq as little left hander played shorts not seen since the day of another great left hander, Brian Bevan. In the final over when a wicket could have been costly, Michael showed no nerves smashing a front foot drive, again of Clarke for four. A place in the semi final was theirs.

In the semi final they were up against Berks and Johnson. This time their batting let them down, losing 3 wickets on the way to 120. The first team bowling attack looked in total control with the bat. Despite losing a wicket they won by 16 runs. The other semi final was between the Heslam’s and the outsides for the cup, Allsop and Barlow. The Heslam’s again set a challenging total of 147, but did lose their first wicket of the day. The came back with the ball and restrict the up and coming talent to 129-1 and the had reached the final for the second year running!!

What a final it was. Johnson who had looked in fine form all day with the bat again showed his worth. He scored to parts of the ground and with the light fading dealt with the pace of James easily. Berks was caught by a brilliant Tom Fulk, but they still posted a very challenging 143. John was injured trying to stop the final ball. He immediately called for a runner. The sly old fox declined Clive’s offers as a like for like runner and picked Richard Barlow. It was nip and tuck all the way through the reply. James with some majestic driving was them to with 2 runs of victory. This was no mean feat in the gloom with both Berks and Johnson steaming in. Could they score those two runs. Berks dropped one in short and had James on the back foot. That yard was vital. Simon Jackson has the ball back as James desperately tried to make his ground for the second, but Stuart Smith had the bails off and victory was Johnson and Berks.

A great final to end a great day. A big thank you must go to the President, Mr. Steve Dunn and Roger Bowcock for organising it all.. We must not forget Cilla with the food and all those that helped with the bar.