On a changeable weather day that saw some morning showers, the Astons welcomed Hampstead Norreys to the Rec for the final of the Friendly Cup.

Having lost their previous two finals in this competition, the Astons were keen to put in a good showing against a dangerous Norreys side.
In selection, the home side were at full strength, with a number of players missing out such was the depth of availability.

The toss was always going to be an important one with a slightly soft wicket from the morning rain and humid conditions that were conducive to swing, and fortunately for the hosts, captain Swainston called correctly and chose to put the opposition in to bat.

Norreys started positively, seizing on anything short up the slope as they struck several early boundaries off of Sam Saunders. At the other end, Colin Allen was his usual miserly self as he bowled three maidens on the bounce.

But just as Norreys started to build, a brilliant inswinging yorker by Saunders cleaned up the aggressive opening batsman.

That did not slow them down though, as their number three effortlessly deposited Saunders for several maximums over the short pavilion-side boundary as the visitors raced along at six runs an over.

At 10 overs, Dan White and Steve Smith came on first change, and after a couple of loose overs from the latter, they started to tie down the Norreys batsmen.

White in particular, who had struggled with his seam up in recent times, was back to his best, consistently hitting a full length and a good line, and soon got his reward when the opener skied one for White to take a simple caught and bowled.

As the run rate slowed, White picked up two more wickets, bowled and LBW, before Steve Smith got in on the act as a slog was caught by Ralph Smith at mid-wicket.

Though slowed the Norreys number three was still ticking along as he reached his half century, but not long afterwards, he was gone. A full straight delivery from White was marmalised hard and flat over midwicket, only for Dave Kilcoyne to take an excellent catch over his head on the boundary to dislodge the settled batsman.

With Smith and White bowled out, Swainston brought himself on with his “off-spin”, but a loose start saw Norreys mount a recovery of sorts.
Eventually though he did get it right, as he picked up a clean bowled and a somewhat fortuitous LBW as Norreys teetered on 140 for 9.
But much to their credit, the last pair hung around for nearly 10 overs as they added on a potentially crucial 20 runs to the total, before Saunders returned to the attack to take the last wicket.

After tea, Ralph and Ollie Corbett opened that batting with 4 runs an over the required rate.

The Norreys bowlers were tight early on, if a little slower than expected, as the Astons started patiently. But Corbett was soon putting pressure back on the bowlers as he punished any width, smashing several early boundaries.

With Ralph accumulating at the other end, the pair quickly raced to a 50 opening stand above the required rate.

But just as it looked like that they had taken the game away from Norreys, the visitors came back strongly.

Firstly, Corbett was dismissed by a beautiful delivery from their impressive leg-spinner, before Rob Harris was unluckily dismissed as the ball bounced up off his body before slowly rolling onto his stumps.

With their tails up, and spin on at both ends, they soon picked up the big fish, as Swainston tamely chipped the ball up to midwicket as the Astons lost three wickets for just three runs.

With 80 runs still required, Stu Massingham joined Ralph for the trial by spin, but after picking up one maximum via the telegraph wires, he missed a straight one to leave the Astons on 110 for 4.

With the pressure building, everyone run was applauded by the nervous crowd in the pavilion. Dave Kilcoyne was next in, and after he picked up an important boundary, a leading edge led to his demise as the visitors smelt blood.

Crucially, at the other end, Ralph’s duel with the excellent leg-spinner came to an end as the opener resisted one of the best spells on spin bowling seen at the Rec.

With their gun bowler finished, Colin Allen then punished some wayward bowling to take the hosts within touching distance of victory.
Fittingly a single by Ralph took them over the finish line with three overs to go.

This was an excellent game befitting of a final. Played in great spirits by both sides, with a typical mixed bag of quality and not-so-quality cricket, it could have gone either way right up until the last few overs.

So Astons finally have their name on the trophy after two defeats in the final, and only their second ever trophy in their history.
Man of the Match was a close-run thing, with Colin and Ralph’s contributions both coming close, but it went to Dan White, who bowled a crucial spell up the hill with the short legside boundary and deservedly picked up 4 top order wickets.

Thanks to all those who came down to watch and support, it was great to have so many friends of the club on the sideline enjoying the game.

Astons Cricket Club

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