Ten10 - III
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The Story As It Happened...
On a perfect day for cricket Darren Cammack and Jason Hayes locked horns in the first contest of the day and it would provide the best game in Ten10 history. McKeown walked out to the middle as #3 pick in the draft and he did not want to let down any fans. McKeown has built up a strong reputation as a destructive Ten10 player, any full ball on the legs will be helped on its way...first ball Tom Speak bowled on his legs and McKeown did not disappoint dispatching it onto the roof in style. Speak had his revenge the same over as McKeown departed for 12 off 5 balls. Jason Hayes could not help his side after having the misfortune in facing "ball of the century' that nearly missed the track only for Hayes to not pick the googly and see it canon onto off stump. Runs continued to flow at a good rate as Amatiello found form to retire on 30 off just 16 balls but last year's hero Robot Powell could not live up to his poster boy billing. He hit the first ball for 4 but struggled after that and eventually fell for 8 off the bowling of returning "Just one pint' Tom Norman. James Hendry was explosive by his standards and only played 4 dots in his 16 ball 20, Tom Speak's 2nd over would bring his downfall as well as a GOLDEN for Matt Jackson. Reissing and Tench had little time to add to the score as Hayes' team posted a below par 94 off their 10 overs. Speak (3-19), Norman (1-13) and George (1-17) all pegged back their opponents.
Matt Atherton initially signed up for the tournament as a returning guest but a midseason change of heart placed him back in the Winnington fold and his insider information would be vital in producing a spectacular display. Amatiello uncharacteristically let 12 runs go in his first over at the hands of Atherton but the real damage came in the 2nd over as Robot Powell took some punishment as both Atherton and his opening partner (and reigning biggest six hitter) Morris would each help themselves to a 4 and a 6 each, an Atherton single and a wide finished off a game changing over of 22. At 35-0 off 2 a change was needed and James Hendry was chosed, he picked up the valuable wicket of Morris (15) but his pastries still cost 17 runs and Jason Hayes was staring down the barrel. The arrival of Stuart Hayes started suspicions of a super sub for his brother's team but it looked like the damage had already been done. Rob Powell's day did not get any better as he dropped a sitter to keep Atherton at the crease. However Team Hayes did not give up and after Jason picking up Alvanley's Jones cheaply, Hendry would follow up with a tight over for 5 runs as well as claiming prize scalp of Cammack (12) and the very next ball sent back Matty George for a GOLDEN! Hayes then bowled what was deemed to be the "Champagne Moment' (despite getting little reception from the crowd at the time); Hayes took out both Burrows (2) and Norman (0) in a double wicket maiden to really make the game interesting at 73-6 with 2 wickets remaining. Matt Jackson bowled superbly to remove Paterson (stumped McKeown) after a horrible air shot from JP. Atherton returned and got himself on strike for Amatiello's over and went about hitting him to all parts with two 6's and two 4's (yes that is 20 runs off the over) which brought up the competitions first ever half century. Tom Speak was on strike for Jackson's over and was instructed to play no shots, this he did and Jackson had his maiden to return 1-4 off 2. The last over had the whole crowd on their feet, Reissing was to bowl the over and all the talk was about his now infamous over against Northwich in the semi-final last year. Atherton played back 2 dots looking cagey - one wicket remaining and 2 needed for the win. He picked the third ball of the over to attack but he hit it too flat and picked out the safe hands of Jackson on the boundary which brought about mass celebrations never before seen as Team Hayes came away with a 1 run victory in a the greatest Ten10 of all time, a title it will probably never lose.
I realise I went on a bit there and the other games will not get as much attention, but the greatest game of cricket seen at The Rec for some time needed such a report.
Semi Final 2
The 2nd Semi-Final saw the two early favourites come up against each other, however both had been crippled by late withdrawals to provide a much more even playing field. The stars of this game were to be Johnsy's three Alvanley imports as both Pearce and Ainsworth would retire in quick time thanks to the liquorish allsorts served up in an over from Begbie and then punished the looseners from Appleton's Lomas and the same off South African import Reinhardt Schrenk as well as the (kindly put) ineffective seam up of Wales. Lomas' 2nd over really showed what he was capable of removing the dangerous Butcher (Quack) with the 2nd best ball of the day and then C&B to send back Elson (1). Lomas' day got better as he then ran out De Sousa (8) with a direct hit. Glover would see out the overs and bowled well, his last over provided many people's moment of the day as he sent back Mike Johns and then Chris Johns in consecutive deliveries to finish the innings and post impressive figures of 2-15 off his 2 overs. Team Evans somehow managing to keep the score to just 110. However Martin Evans had to leave before the interval as Laura had been taken into hospital as a precaution (everything is fine to confirm!), Paul Coot failing to show and the cry off of Rick Clarke, Team Evans were left with a huge hole to fill. Pete Evans batted bravely for 22 which included an audacious (failed) reverse scoop of De Sousa but eventually tried one unorthodox shot too many as Elson removed him LBW. Wales the #1 Draft Pick was struggling at the other end, much to the amusement of the crowd and umpires, his 16 included just one boundary and he would eventually fall to Ben Pearce, his off-spin seriously aided by a slow pitch. Lomas was growing with confidence and would retire on 25. At the other end things weren't so simple as hockey players Palin and Stackhouse both posted ducks and Glover was stumped for just two (the crowd enjoying the fact he didn't realise he was out). Begbie launched Chris Johns for the 2nd biggest 6 of the day but it was C.J who would laugh last as he got him the very next ball. A weakened Team Evans posted just 86 leaving them thinking what might have been.
3rd Place Play-Off
Team Evans became Team Wales and they were asked to bat by Team Cammack. This immediately looked the correct decision as Lomas (1), Palin (0) and Amatiello (1) all went back in the 2nd over leaving the batting side at 10-3. Pete Evans carried on where he left off and retired for an impressive 26 after an over of 16 off Norman. Stackhouse (2) didn't fare much better than the semi-final and Wales came to the crease at No6 and was soon accompanied by Schrenk. The two of them suddenly made a game of the contest, Schrenk retiring on 25 off just 9 balls (four 4s and a 6) and was soon followed by Wales retiring on 27 off 17 balls which didn't seem to silence his doubters. Begbie (4) again failed with the bat leaving an unpadded Evans to face the last ball, it brought no runs and Team Wales closed on a sub-par 95. This total was enough to win the semi-final against Team Cammack so we knew we had a game on our hands.
The innings started off with wickets in the first over, an intentional misfield by Wales led to the runout of Morris (0) and then Lomas then bowled Burrows first ball (GOLDEN!) and then had his ex-teammate Atherton (0) caught in the same over. Despite this he refused to give him a send off as instructed by his captain. Cammack provided resistant in an attempt to stop his side from finishing last but once Jones fell first ball to Begbie thanks to a fine catch from Amatiello in the gloves (yes you read that correctly), Wales had George (14) out stumped and a good innings of 16 off 13 from Paterson was ended, so was the game as a contest. Not even a returning Cammack could save the game as he fell to dangerous grenade bowler Pete Evans caught in the deep by Team Wales/Evans' start performer Tom Lomas. Lomas recorded top figures of 2-5 off his 2 and was supported by Wales (1-12 with leg spin) and Pete Evans (2-2 I think it was in the end).
THE FINAL
Things started off brightly for Team Hayes, McKeown destroyed overseas professional Francois De Sousa for 15 off the over including a 6 that sailed way over the pavilion which would be the decided factor in giving Ackers the award of biggest six hitter on the day. However things went downhill very quickly for the batting side as Ainsworth picked up the key wicket of Lomas after Hendry had been runout earlier in the over for a disappointing 6. Rob Powell could not shine on the big stage and Pearce sent him back first ball (GOLDEN!) and then Reissing (5) fell to Pearce as well two overs later. 32-5 off 7 was not good enough and Team Hayes needed a change, this did not come as a tight over from Speak was followed up by a destructive over from Chris Johns as he sent back Tench (2) and Neil Powell (3) in quick succession. De Sousa came back to bowl a much tighter over and removed the captain for 7 leaving Matt Jackson stranded on 8*. A total of just 52 from 9.4 overs is the lowest score any team has ever posted in Ten10 history.
Even with the dangerous Hayes in the side they were never in the game, Hayes bowled 2 overs for just 3 runs at the top of the innings. Chris Johns and Steve Elson (7 off 12 balls, runout after Chris Johns fell asleep at the wicket) both struggled with the bat thanks to a valiant effort from Team Hayes, but a costly over of 17 from Jackson at the hands of De Sousa and Pearce left the result at all but a certainty. With the crowd falling asleep Chris Johns departed for 10 off 21 deliveries after been sawn-off by controversial umpiring from St Tropete, but it was a move welcomed by the crowd and Johns had to go. The winning runs came off the 9 over with Pearce hitting Reissing for 4 to record an easy victory and making Team Johns the 3rd winners of the prestigious Ten10 trophy.
The Awards
Ten10 Trophy: Team Johns
Most Valuable Player: Ben Pearce (Alvanley)
Biggest Six Hitter: Greg McKeown
Champagne Moment: Jason Hayes (Double Wicket Maiden)
The Story As It Happened...
On a perfect day for cricket Darren Cammack and Jason Hayes locked horns in the first contest of the day and it would provide the best game in Ten10 history. McKeown walked out to the middle as #3 pick in the draft and he did not want to let down any fans. McKeown has built up a strong reputation as a destructive Ten10 player, any full ball on the legs will be helped on its way...first ball Tom Speak bowled on his legs and McKeown did not disappoint dispatching it onto the roof in style. Speak had his revenge the same over as McKeown departed for 12 off 5 balls. Jason Hayes could not help his side after having the misfortune in facing "ball of the century' that nearly missed the track only for Hayes to not pick the googly and see it canon onto off stump. Runs continued to flow at a good rate as Amatiello found form to retire on 30 off just 16 balls but last year's hero Robot Powell could not live up to his poster boy billing. He hit the first ball for 4 but struggled after that and eventually fell for 8 off the bowling of returning "Just one pint' Tom Norman. James Hendry was explosive by his standards and only played 4 dots in his 16 ball 20, Tom Speak's 2nd over would bring his downfall as well as a GOLDEN for Matt Jackson. Reissing and Tench had little time to add to the score as Hayes' team posted a below par 94 off their 10 overs. Speak (3-19), Norman (1-13) and George (1-17) all pegged back their opponents.
Matt Atherton initially signed up for the tournament as a returning guest but a midseason change of heart placed him back in the Winnington fold and his insider information would be vital in producing a spectacular display. Amatiello uncharacteristically let 12 runs go in his first over at the hands of Atherton but the real damage came in the 2nd over as Robot Powell took some punishment as both Atherton and his opening partner (and reigning biggest six hitter) Morris would each help themselves to a 4 and a 6 each, an Atherton single and a wide finished off a game changing over of 22. At 35-0 off 2 a change was needed and James Hendry was chosed, he picked up the valuable wicket of Morris (15) but his pastries still cost 17 runs and Jason Hayes was staring down the barrel. The arrival of Stuart Hayes started suspicions of a super sub for his brother's team but it looked like the damage had already been done. Rob Powell's day did not get any better as he dropped a sitter to keep Atherton at the crease. However Team Hayes did not give up and after Jason picking up Alvanley's Jones cheaply, Hendry would follow up with a tight over for 5 runs as well as claiming prize scalp of Cammack (12) and the very next ball sent back Matty George for a GOLDEN! Hayes then bowled what was deemed to be the "Champagne Moment' (despite getting little reception from the crowd at the time); Hayes took out both Burrows (2) and Norman (0) in a double wicket maiden to really make the game interesting at 73-6 with 2 wickets remaining. Matt Jackson bowled superbly to remove Paterson (stumped McKeown) after a horrible air shot from JP. Atherton returned and got himself on strike for Amatiello's over and went about hitting him to all parts with two 6's and two 4's (yes that is 20 runs off the over) which brought up the competitions first ever half century. Tom Speak was on strike for Jackson's over and was instructed to play no shots, this he did and Jackson had his maiden to return 1-4 off 2. The last over had the whole crowd on their feet, Reissing was to bowl the over and all the talk was about his now infamous over against Northwich in the semi-final last year. Atherton played back 2 dots looking cagey - one wicket remaining and 2 needed for the win. He picked the third ball of the over to attack but he hit it too flat and picked out the safe hands of Jackson on the boundary which brought about mass celebrations never before seen as Team Hayes came away with a 1 run victory in a the greatest Ten10 of all time, a title it will probably never lose.
I realise I went on a bit there and the other games will not get as much attention, but the greatest game of cricket seen at The Rec for some time needed such a report.
Semi Final 2
The 2nd Semi-Final saw the two early favourites come up against each other, however both had been crippled by late withdrawals to provide a much more even playing field. The stars of this game were to be Johnsy's three Alvanley imports as both Pearce and Ainsworth would retire in quick time thanks to the liquorish allsorts served up in an over from Begbie and then punished the looseners from Appleton's Lomas and the same off South African import Reinhardt Schrenk as well as the (kindly put) ineffective seam up of Wales. Lomas' 2nd over really showed what he was capable of removing the dangerous Butcher (Quack) with the 2nd best ball of the day and then C&B to send back Elson (1). Lomas' day got better as he then ran out De Sousa (8) with a direct hit. Glover would see out the overs and bowled well, his last over provided many people's moment of the day as he sent back Mike Johns and then Chris Johns in consecutive deliveries to finish the innings and post impressive figures of 2-15 off his 2 overs. Team Evans somehow managing to keep the score to just 110. However Martin Evans had to leave before the interval as Laura had been taken into hospital as a precaution (everything is fine to confirm!), Paul Coot failing to show and the cry off of Rick Clarke, Team Evans were left with a huge hole to fill. Pete Evans batted bravely for 22 which included an audacious (failed) reverse scoop of De Sousa but eventually tried one unorthodox shot too many as Elson removed him LBW. Wales the #1 Draft Pick was struggling at the other end, much to the amusement of the crowd and umpires, his 16 included just one boundary and he would eventually fall to Ben Pearce, his off-spin seriously aided by a slow pitch. Lomas was growing with confidence and would retire on 25. At the other end things weren't so simple as hockey players Palin and Stackhouse both posted ducks and Glover was stumped for just two (the crowd enjoying the fact he didn't realise he was out). Begbie launched Chris Johns for the 2nd biggest 6 of the day but it was C.J who would laugh last as he got him the very next ball. A weakened Team Evans posted just 86 leaving them thinking what might have been.
3rd Place Play-Off
Team Evans became Team Wales and they were asked to bat by Team Cammack. This immediately looked the correct decision as Lomas (1), Palin (0) and Amatiello (1) all went back in the 2nd over leaving the batting side at 10-3. Pete Evans carried on where he left off and retired for an impressive 26 after an over of 16 off Norman. Stackhouse (2) didn't fare much better than the semi-final and Wales came to the crease at No6 and was soon accompanied by Schrenk. The two of them suddenly made a game of the contest, Schrenk retiring on 25 off just 9 balls (four 4s and a 6) and was soon followed by Wales retiring on 27 off 17 balls which didn't seem to silence his doubters. Begbie (4) again failed with the bat leaving an unpadded Evans to face the last ball, it brought no runs and Team Wales closed on a sub-par 95. This total was enough to win the semi-final against Team Cammack so we knew we had a game on our hands.
The innings started off with wickets in the first over, an intentional misfield by Wales led to the runout of Morris (0) and then Lomas then bowled Burrows first ball (GOLDEN!) and then had his ex-teammate Atherton (0) caught in the same over. Despite this he refused to give him a send off as instructed by his captain. Cammack provided resistant in an attempt to stop his side from finishing last but once Jones fell first ball to Begbie thanks to a fine catch from Amatiello in the gloves (yes you read that correctly), Wales had George (14) out stumped and a good innings of 16 off 13 from Paterson was ended, so was the game as a contest. Not even a returning Cammack could save the game as he fell to dangerous grenade bowler Pete Evans caught in the deep by Team Wales/Evans' start performer Tom Lomas. Lomas recorded top figures of 2-5 off his 2 and was supported by Wales (1-12 with leg spin) and Pete Evans (2-2 I think it was in the end).
THE FINAL
Things started off brightly for Team Hayes, McKeown destroyed overseas professional Francois De Sousa for 15 off the over including a 6 that sailed way over the pavilion which would be the decided factor in giving Ackers the award of biggest six hitter on the day. However things went downhill very quickly for the batting side as Ainsworth picked up the key wicket of Lomas after Hendry had been runout earlier in the over for a disappointing 6. Rob Powell could not shine on the big stage and Pearce sent him back first ball (GOLDEN!) and then Reissing (5) fell to Pearce as well two overs later. 32-5 off 7 was not good enough and Team Hayes needed a change, this did not come as a tight over from Speak was followed up by a destructive over from Chris Johns as he sent back Tench (2) and Neil Powell (3) in quick succession. De Sousa came back to bowl a much tighter over and removed the captain for 7 leaving Matt Jackson stranded on 8*. A total of just 52 from 9.4 overs is the lowest score any team has ever posted in Ten10 history.
Even with the dangerous Hayes in the side they were never in the game, Hayes bowled 2 overs for just 3 runs at the top of the innings. Chris Johns and Steve Elson (7 off 12 balls, runout after Chris Johns fell asleep at the wicket) both struggled with the bat thanks to a valiant effort from Team Hayes, but a costly over of 17 from Jackson at the hands of De Sousa and Pearce left the result at all but a certainty. With the crowd falling asleep Chris Johns departed for 10 off 21 deliveries after been sawn-off by controversial umpiring from St Tropete, but it was a move welcomed by the crowd and Johns had to go. The winning runs came off the 9 over with Pearce hitting Reissing for 4 to record an easy victory and making Team Johns the 3rd winners of the prestigious Ten10 trophy.
The Awards
Ten10 Trophy: Team Johns
Most Valuable Player: Ben Pearce (Alvanley)
Biggest Six Hitter: Greg McKeown
Champagne Moment: Jason Hayes (Double Wicket Maiden)
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