A Cup Tie and a Half

So after a bye in the 1st round and both teams struggling to find a date we finally traveled to Carnforth on a Friday night for a 6pm start. Both clubs probably were fielding their strongest XI’s possible so a good contest was on the cards.

Good weather (for a change) and a reasonable crowd.

Tom lost the toss and Carnforth decided to bat – we were not bothered about that as we like to chase and we did not know what a good score would be on this pitch in a T20.

Baxendale & Moore opened and it was soon apparent that we were likely to be chasing a high score. Good wicket and fast outfield. 7 overs and they were 44-0 so heading for at least 150+. Next over John Burton got a breakthrough having Moore caught by Will 46-1. Cornthwaite joined Moore and the next 7 overs saw a further 45 runs before John struck again – this time Tony Hadwin catching Baxendale for 53, 91-2. 6 overs left and the run rate began to rise sharply helped by a few dropped catches!! (Specsavers for Willie & Will). – 12, 7 and then a big 22 from Joe Cowperthwaite’s last over.

3 overs to go, 10 off the next and the 8. So last over and the score 150-2, with 8 wickets in hand it would be nice to keep them to under 170.

Over to Mike Taylor, 2, 2, 2, wide, Hodkinson bowled, dot ball, Thornton bowled. Last over 6-2. 156-4 and only 6 wides and 10 extras in total.

Yes it was a big total but we felt not as big as they had been hoping for.

Quick turn round, Tom handed the umpire the match ball plus 2 spares – laughing that he would get more if we lost all those (I don’t really thing he though that he would end up having to find more!).

Kev & Will opened, don’t do anything silly boys, we know there are runs to be had, just keep those wickets intact. Tracey sat down without going to the Ladies first – bad mistake!!

So the run chase was on – we really wanted that place in the final, 8 an over needed but no need to take risks. 6, 1, 6, 7 the 5 big overs – 20 from Whiteley’s 1st, 10 from A Rich, 10 from Whiteley, 10 from Rich, 10 from Baxendale and we have just scored 60 from 5 overs and are 81-0 from 9 overs, ahead of the run rate and looking good. Meanwhile Tracey is glued to her seat, absolutely desperate for the Ladies but totally not moving because loo=wicket!! 100 partnership – maybe we can do this. Carnforth then get the breakthrough that they are desperate for – Kev is caught by Whiteley of S Rich – 107-1. Tracey makes a mad dash to the Ladies!.

Andrew Holmes joins Will and they put on 22 in the next 3 overs before Will is caught by A Rich off Cornthwaite’s 1st ball, 129-2. 23 balls to go, 28 needed. Tom joins Andrew and they put on 7 before Tom in bowled by the last ball of the same over.

18 balls left, 21 to win. Joe Cowperthwaite joins Andrew and they take 8 from the 18th.

12 balls , 13 runs or 12 runs will do if we don’t lose any more wickets.

Sadly for Carnforth but good for us, Cornthwaite’s 2nd over is not so productive for them as his 1st. 2 runs, 10 wides and a leg bye and we are home and dry with 7 balls to spare.

What a great game. Over 300 runs and only 7 wickets, a credit to everyone involved, it is a pity it was not the final. Will 64, Kev 46 – has there been a more important 100 this season?

Celebrations all round – only a week to the final where we will meet favorites Netherfield, but cups are cups and you should never dismiss the underdogs!!! Meanwhile let us all retreat to the bar.