Norfolk Over 60's in National County Championship triumph (plus photos)
SPITFIRE, D & M MARKETING NATIONAL 60+ COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
LETCHWORTH – SEPTEMBER 20TH 2009
Twice in two days Norfolk defied the odds and the betting pundits in a truly nail biting finale at Letchworth, the East Anglian side winning off the penultimate ball.
Hampshire won the toss and batted and Norfolk’s razor sharp fielding was probably nullified from sitting in the team bus for a total of 500 miles, Saturday, to Horsham and back and Sunday morning down to Letchworth! Jeff Owen and Mickey Swain put together a steady opening stand with Owen racing ahead of the partner when both had reached 30. Owen’s trademarks served him well on the fast outfield and Norfolk outfielders had a lot of chasing to do. At the halfway drinks stage, Hampshire were on 109 - 0 and Norfolk were looking down a barrel. However, a team talk saw things tightening up and Hampshire, whilst still scoring freely, were not allowed to run away with it. Owen departed for 88 and a good boundary catch by Richie Davies saw the dangerous Hall depart for 20. Things started to swing Norfolk’s way as the estimate of 300 was not achieved as Wright (1) and Smallbone (1) departed cheaply. Lynchpin Mickey Swain gave no discernable chance, finishing with an enormous six to end up on 128 not out with Hampshire on 270-4.
Norfolk found the track reacting well to Rudder’s seam as his variation and bounce caused immense problems and after a little cameo Rice (14) received a peach, pitching leg and taking the off bail. Taylor’s flick to leg saw a simple catch off the leading edge and it was left to Ian Battelley to rebuild with Martin.Pearse. Newcomer to the Hampshire team, Bumper Lush, also caused problems and Pearse survived a sharp chance through extra cover. But the runs were starting to come and one over of 13, primarily by Battelley off Smallbone, saw a change in batting attitude. Pearse, previously somewhat subdued and taking no risk started to attack and put Smallbone over long on for six in a purple spell for Norfolk. Just when Norfolk were seemingly taking charge the pendulum swung back towards Hampshire when Battelley departed for 41 and Pearse, caught between attack and defence, went caught behind off left armer Westbrook for 69 off 78 balls. Tuck, after a trademark shot, then also departed with Hampshire starting to take control. Peter Brown, previously in quiet mode and aided initially by Richie Davies, took the total down to 110 off 100 balls (sounds much easier than 110 off 16.4 overs).
Hampshire were realising the peril as the score crept closer, Brown batting circumspectly, but boosting it with booming drives and hits over the leg side. Davies (25) and Nash (1) departed to put Hampshire back as favourites, but Brown’s sensible approach whittled the total down to 44 needed off 30, 34 off 24, 27 off 18, 17 off 12, including a certain four which struck his partner Ashdown on the arm and needing lengthy treatment. In the end, despite an ‘over-run’ which saw Brown at the non strikers end, he was there for the majority of the last over, despite Ashdown being run out off the first ball for a very valuable 9. Swain’s final over consisted of run out, 2 2 2 1 and victory for an ecstatic side, whose team spirit (when you drive 2000 miles in a mini bus to Cheshire x 2, Sussex x 2, then Letchworth, it tends to bond the team!) and superb overall fielding, saw them win the County’s first ever National Title at 50 or 60 age group level.
Hampshire Innings - scorecard.jpg
Norfolk Innings - scorecard.jpg
O 60's Final photoboard.pdf