This fixture was shown in Napton’s fixture list, and advertised in the Parish Magazine, as a ‘Home Fixture’. It was actually played away at Everdon.
The captains agreed on a 35-over game instead of the usual 40 overs. Bowlers being restricted to a maximum of 7 overs.
Captain Sam won the toss and decided to have a bat.
Napton openers Tom and Sam gave their wickets away cheaply in the 4th and 7th overs. Both of them received the finger for wandering across their stumps and omitting to get their bats on the ball before it reached their pads.
Napton 21-2.
Mike and Callum came together at the crease and developed a handy partnership with Mike being the supporting partner as Callum ‘clubbed’ the ball all around the ground. Not a lot of pretty shots; but effective.
After Mike was dismissed Callum had a brief partnership with Joe before he returned to the pavilion and Joe took on the mantle.
He entertained all with a typical ‘Joe innings’. Smacking the cherry all over the ground and eventually being caught on the boundary. How many times has that been seen. Although it must be said that it was an exceptional catch that dismissed him in this match.
After the allocated 35 overs Napton were 190-8
Callum Tuck68 runs12 boundaries
Joe Alsop53 runs 9 boundaries inc. 3 sixes
Mike Eadon24 runs 4 boundaries
Although a good total it was by no means certain if it was enough.
A target of nearly 5.5 runs per over was very gettable on this track.
Everdon’s openers approached Napton’s attack aggressively and were meeting the required run-rate in the earlier overs until Mike accounted for both of them.
Ollie bowled batsman No.3 and took the wicket of No.4 via a catch by Rob.
At 18 overs, the home team were on 79-4.
It appeared that Napton were in the driving seat.
However, Everdon increased their run rate and after a couple of more wickets lost they were at 162-6 after 30 overs.
5 overs left and just 29 runs left to overtake the target.
A quick-thinking piece of fielding between Sam and Joe resulted in a run-out in the 33rd over. 181-7.
10 runs required off the final 2 overs.
Everdon didn’t need both overs as they overtook the target in the 34th over. 192-7.
Wicket-takers:-
Ollie O’Brien4 overs2-22
Mike Eadon7 overs1 maiden2-32
Sam Sensecall7 overs2-39
1 Run-Out
Steve and Joe were especially effectiv