|
Parkhouse defeated CCC to retain the Thornton Trophy in a close encounter at Stocksfield yesterday.
As befitted such a shambolic season the two teams turned up to find the sprinkler on pitch 1 and a football match on pitch 2. Pitch 2 was at least prepared, despite a supporter wondering across it in her stillettoes, and once the football finished Parkhouse and CCC were able to commence play at 3.20 in a 30 overs aside contest.
CCC won the toss and put Parkhouse into bat and John immediately made a breakthrough, Guy taking a sharp chance. Cathart (27) and Jackson (30 retired) batted well, and lower down the order Gilchrist and Gurkin scored 20s, giving Parkhouse a decent 148-6 (30). Andy took two wickets, John 1, Gerry 1, Guy 1, and Simon 1.
The reply was a speedy one with CCC scoring at seven an over. Andy hit a quick 30 and victory seemed a formality given CCCs batting line up. However, fortune turned against them as Simon and Greg both played on and Dave and Alan spooned simple catches. The pitch was slow and sloping end-to-end and sideways and the ball had a habit of stopping or cutting back.
With only 9 men Jack Reed's run out meant Andy returned to the crease to partner Gerry, and they took the score to within 10 of Parkhouse before Andy was caught behind for 37.
Parkhouse thus retain the Thornton Trophy. Had CCC fielded a full team they would undoubtedly have won this match, but as it was the trophy will remain bare until the 2008 treble-winning season.
Team: Andy, Guy, Dave, Simon E, Greg, Alan, John, Gerry, Jack
CAP
Andy won the cap comfortably for his all round performance.
DUCK
Again this was a two-horse race.
Greg won nominations for a couple of bizarre moments behind the stumps, though it should be said in mitigation that this was nothing compared to the shocking spectacle of Guy and Mudassar's keeping on Wednesday. He also uttered a loud expletive whilst batting, which echoed round the village.
Alan won nominations for being phoned by his wife whilst umpiring and then texting her back a bit later - still whilst umpiring. To his credit he managed to multi-task and carrying out his umpiring duties effectively.
Greg eventually pipped Alan to the award.
|
