Egerton

Match Report

A final ball victory is always that much sweeter, and skipper Patch completed the coup de grace in person, just as victory seemed to be slipping away, the finger raised so slowly to confirm the decision. Egerton CC play their cricket on a delightful postage stamp of a ground with views across the Low Weald to an endless horizon; a lovely spot to spend a Sunday August afternoon. Mark Healy (24), now a very occasional Straggler, and George Baker White (22) set the innings off well enough before a brace of run outs undid the middle order, Simon Allport (44) having taken full advantage of the short boundaries. Kieran Premnath (36) rebuilt the innings with care, while his partners failed to keep him company. On a small ground, a target was needed; and duly provided by Olla Tenant (28*), Patch (30) and Toby, who continued much as he had left off the week before, hitting a junior bowler for an enormous 6 far into the field beyond. 236 for 8 seemed enough.

The Straggler attack in 2014 seems content to contain, but rarely has the edge to run through sides, and it began to look as if Egerton would result in another nearly but not quite result. A few early blows to the boundary and a couple of wickets had the Bergers collectively dropping anchor, as Archie Hammond and the Chairman bowled miserly spells. A draw was not part of Patch’s plan, and Kieran proved to be the key partnership breaker having one Berger run out; Mark Healy then removed another with the rankest of rank long hops played on, defying most of the laws of physics. However, Egerton were still only 7 down as Toby and Patch came back on for the final 4 overs. A carve at Toby saw George scoop a sharp chance at point – 8 down. The final ball of Toby’s last over removed number 10; all set for the final over with the Egerton skipper blocking furiously, field surrounding the bat; all to no avail as the finger was slowly raised to the appeal; victory by 72 runs well engineered.