Stoneleigh CC v Napton CC

It is a pleasure to visit this historic ground voted 'Britain's Loveliest Cricket Ground, 2003' by Wisden.
Stoneleigh Abbey dominates the site. It is set about 50 yards beyond the boundary.

Their website informs:
“Founded in 1839 at Stoneleigh Abbey by Lord Chandos Leigh, it is one of the oldest and most famous cricket clubs in Warwickshire.
Set in a sylvan loop of the River Avon, it remains unchanged to this day and at its heart is the plot on which Stoneleigh CC have played for 170 years. A cricketing paradise. Laid out at the heart of the estate, at the end of a lime-lined avenue.
Stoneleigh currently play in the Cotswolds Hills League Division 3 for 2016
After a successful 2015 for Stoneleigh we are looking forward to repeating our success this year.
We were promoted to Division 3 of the Cotswold Hills League after finishing as champions of Division 4 in 2015.”

Stoneleigh is a relatively recent addition to Napton's fixture list. During this correspondent's time as Fixture Secretary efforts to secure a game with them had been unsuccessful.

So, when stand-in Captain Mike reported three days before the game that due to holidays he only had seven players available, and that cancellation was a possibility, alarm bells rang.
Not only is it embarrassing to call off fixtures for other than inclement weather, it could also put future fixtures in doubt.

The call went out. Four answered, including Chairman Howard and son Russell. Howard has 'donned' his whites about 4 times since leaving school.
A full team was now available for the trip to Stoneleigh.

The home team batted first.

Mike managed his depleted bowling line-up sensibly and alternated the styles and skills available
to Napton's best advantage.

The bowlers were ably assisted by energetic and committed fielding.
Ball-magnet Russell consistently gathered and returned accurately.
Joe, Graham, Mike and JP covered copious amounts of ground thereby denying the batsmen of many boundaries.
A catch by Dave sent batsman number one back to the pavilion,
Direct hits by Mike and Stuart resulted in two run-outs.
Glove-man Tim's regular quick-action removal of the bails deterred the batsmen from striding up the wicket to take on the slower bowlers.

Stoneleigh completed their 40 overs on 222-4.
Wicket takers:
John P Eadon 8 overs 1-32
Mike Eadon 8 overs 1 maiden 1-41
2 Run-outs.

Tim and Stuart opened for Napton.
An unfortunate communication error led to Stuart being run-out in the 7th over with Napton on just 18 runs.
Nearly-new boy Olly joined Tim at the wicket and what an exciting and dramatic spell was witnessed by one and all. They played a whole range of shots, hitting the ball sweetly to all areas of the ground.
They stayed together for 24 overs, both reaching their half-centuries and a partnership of 129 runs.
They were both out in consecutive overs handing the mantle to Mike and Joe who continued the task of punishing the cherry.
They both fell in the 37th over with the score on 205-5.
After another wicket falling cheaply JP, being the only recognised batsman remaining, was unable to get enough of the strike to take the score over the required line and Napton finished on 220-7.
Just 3 runs short of victory !!!

Top scorers:
Olly O'Brien 67 runs 12 boundaries
Tim Perkin 58 runs 5 boundaries inc 1 six
Joe Alsop 34 runs 3 boundaries inc 3 sixes
Mike Eadon 22 runs 2 boundaries inc 2 sixes

Success narrowly eluded Napton.
This was a 'scratch' team that performed like a First XI.
Even though the game was lost, this correspondent cannot remember a game that he has enjoyed more.