There was an astonishing finish to the National Schools T20 competition group match between Warwick and King Edward’s Birmingham. KES started very sluggishly with only 16 for two from the six-over powerplay. However, once the pace picked up they reached a reasonable but not insuperable 137 for seven. In reply Warwick started more briskly at 34 from six overs but limp running in particular led to a pretty dire 47 from 11 overs; 91 from nine required. Opener Jamie Treasure, assisted by Gabriel D’Souza, led to respectability but not promise as the home side found themselves needing 41 from 18 balls. A productive penultimate over improved matters, but a silly run-out on the first ball still left 23 needed from five balls. At which point Treasure lived up to his name, hitting his first six, but a couple of singles still left twelve needed from the last two balls. Both of which he despatched over the boundary to echoing cheers from the balcony. Jamie Treasure finished on 89 not out.
In another National T20 match Hampton’s Pravin Kiriharan in three overs took five wickets for one run, including a hat-trick to dismiss KCS Wimbledon for 78, a score comfortably achieved by the home side.
One of the more bizarre of cricket coincidences occurred at Felsted. The boys were playing Brentwood while the girls were hosting the Free Foresters. Both games ended in a tie. The Felsted boys lost the toss and were put into bat making 149 for five in 30 overs, Gus Latham top-scoring with 30 not out. Ben Mills was the pick of the Brentwood bowlers. The visitors in reply at one stage were 47 for five but resilience came with Callum Balsom making 64 and Surya James 26, and they put Brentwood in a position to win the game. However, two run-outs and some straight bowling meant Brentwood needed two to win off the last ball with nine down. Kit Morley-Jacob held his nerve and contained it to only one run leaving the game as a tie.
Meanwhile on the adjacent pitch, Felsted girls were hosting the Free Foresters. The hosts bowled first and Ruby Hart took an early wicket but after a recovery with some fine batting they reached 128 for one in their 20 overs. Felsted too lost an early wicket but after that some good running and firm striking began to put them in a strong position. However, with the last ball to play all three results were possible at five short of the Foresters’ target It needed a Treasure (as above) for a win but Abby Camp took up the challenge and struck four to tie the game.
Another weekend of heavy showers caused further difficulties. One was heroically overcome by Winchester who nobly agreed to switch the game from waterlogged Marlborough, thus enabling a full match of 40 overs
Results (see below for National T20):
Bede’s 157-7 (20 overs), *Seaford 127–7 (Langdale Cup)
*Shrewbury 173-5 (30 overs), Cheadle Hulme 54
*Millfield 236-6 (45 overs), Cardiff Eagles 221-7
OMCC 320–9 (50 overs), *Millfield 298
*Wells Cathedral 148-7 (20 overs), Downside 131-5 (20 overs)
Downside 56, *Kings Bruton 57-2
MCC 231-7 (30 overs), *Downside 87
MCC 170-8 dec, *Eton 171-5
Marlborough 230-9 (40 overs), *Winchester 133
*High School of Glasgow 143 (20 overs), Kelvinside Academy 68-7
Tonbridge 175 (55 overs), *Eton 141-0 (Eton won by 10 wickets under D/L)
Oakham 181, *Stamford 174
*Felsted 149-5 (30), Brentwood 149-9 (Boys)
Free Foresters 127-1 (20), *Felsted 127 (Girls)
Trinity 214-5 (30 overs), Reigate GS 109
*Hampton 188/6 (30 overs), Reed’s 143
*Monkton Combe 133-9 (30 overs), Wycliffe 138-3